MONROVIA, Liberia — The Minister of Gender is encouraging married men who are unemployed or not earning an income to seek legal assistance if their wives, who have an income, fail to provide support for them and their children.
Gender Minister Gbeme Horace Kollie made the remarks while addressing the issue of financial responsibilities within marriage, particularly in households where the wife is the primary or sole income earner.
Kollie urged men facing such circumstances not to remain silent, encouraging them to report the matter to the Ministry of Gender for possible legal intervention.
According to Kollie, the Ministry could invoke Chapter 5.3(e) of Liberia’s Domestic Relations Law to pursue support for eligible spouses and children.
“Men your morning o… particularly married men,” Kollie said. “So, if you na geh work or not earning an income, and your wife is working or earning an income and she is not supporting you and the children, please be courageous enough to come to the Ministry of Gender and report it.”
Kollie also cautioned that men seeking legal relief should be prepared to have their own conduct and responsibilities examined.
He referenced the legal principle that a person seeking equitable relief must come with “clean hands,” suggesting that the circumstances and conduct of both spouses could be considered when addressing such complaints.
The comments have drawn attention to the issue of financial obligations between spouses in Liberia, particularly in families where economic roles differ from traditional expectations.
The Ministry’s position underscores that questions of family support can apply to both men and women, depending on the circumstances of a household and the applicable provisions of Liberian law.
