A Togolese opposition leader is calling on women to go on a weeklong sex strike to demand the freedom of protesters detained ahead of elections in the West African nation . Police arrested about 120 opposition supporters last week during clashes between protesters and security forces , according to Togolese human rights groups . Government officials said all but eight had been released , and those still detained were in possession of knives . `` You do n't go demonstrate with these , '' security minister Damehane Yark said of the weapons . Demonstrators have taken to the streets in the capital of Lome for weeks to protest new electoral reforms they say favor the ruling party ahead of October 's parliamentary elections . They are seeking a repeal of changes to the electoral laws . Protests continued Saturday , with a female opposition leader calling for sex strikes starting Monday . `` I am inviting all women to observe a one-week sex strike , fasting and prayers to set our arrested brothers and husbands free , '' said Isabelle Ameganvi , leader of the opposition Let 's Save Togo . `` So all you ladies have to keep the gate of your 'motherland ' locked up to all men from Monday up to Sunday . '' The opposition leader said she is inspired by Liberian Nobel laureate and current President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf , who in 2003 called on women in her nation to observe a sex strike to press for peace amid a raging war . Sex strikes have become a common way of civil disobedience in recent years . In 2009 , Kenyan women pressed for a sex strike to end bickering among coalition government officials . Last year , a group of women in a violence-plagued area of the Philippines slapped men with a sex ban until they promised to quit fighting . Their stand helped end clashes in July between villages in rural Mindanao Island . `` We have power to change things . We do not want to remain in the kitchen , but we can have our say in politics , '' Ameganvi said . `` We can not stay hand-crossed , as our children and husbands are being kept in jail . '' In addition to the sex strike , she called on women to wear a special color during a demonstration Thursday . `` You all have to be dressed up in red pants to show your anger , '' she said , amid cheers . The actions will be among a series of civil disobedience events planned . `` If our people are not released by Thursday , the women are going to rush to the prison naked to get them released , only in red pants and nothing else , '' she said . The security minister said any attempts to enter the prison will lead to arrests . `` We await them , '' Yark said . '' In a state of rule of law like ours , we will get them arrested for offending moral values . '' Togolese officials invited the opposition for talks Friday , but it turned down the government invitation . `` We will not hold any discussions with the government except those aimed at negotiating President Faure Gnassingbe 's departure from power , '' said constitutional law professor Zeus Ajavon , an opposition supporter . Togo has been led by the same family for more than 40 years . Gnassingbe Eyadema ruled for 38 years until his death seven years ago . His son has led the nation since then . Previously on CNN.com : Togo security forces clash with opposition over electoral law .
Government spokesman said a majority of detained protesters have been freed . Demonstrators took to the streets in order to protest electoral reform . The main protest is to protest the arrest of protesters ahead of parliamentary elections . The elections are set for October .