Medica-Liberia Applauded For Supporting SGBV … As Residents, Others Storm 16-Days Of Activism

Several persons who attended the 16 days of activism on Thursday, November 28, 2019, held by Medica-Liberia at the Highway Church on the Robertsfield Highway have lauded Medica-Liberia for its initiative in explaining some of the critical issues affecting women.
According to most of the attendees, the issues of violence against women, coupled with land ownership to women and marital issues were some of the areas that needed explanation.
Appearing as first guest presenter, Cllr. Zear D. Bernard called on the audience, predominantly women; to take legal steps aimed at avoiding violence, rather than sitting quietly while they lose what belongs to them.
She further stated that marital issues should be done on a mutual basis, where the woman will be protected in the relationship. She alarmed over the issues of women being victimized as the result of the man walking out of a relationship and denying the woman of all of her rights.
She cautioned women to be wise as they approach their male counterparts in addressing most of the violence against them. She said, men are perpetrators of those serious crimes and violence against women. “We must protect our women, and girls, which will be a reflection of men,” she stated.
As the issues of land rights, and land ownership top the agenda of the awareness, the second presenter, Cllr. Abla Williams called on the women to make sure the issues do not take another trend that will render them victims.
As the seasoned lawyer on women rights issues took to the stage, several of the women were seen applauding her for dribbling them through the process. Cllr. Williams told the women not to relax, but hold their male counterparts accountable for most of the issues affecting them.
Cllr. William urged the women and few men at the occasion to visit the law which speaks to land right issues, land ownership as well as marital issues and also admonished the women to be cognizant of the law so that they do not fall prey, or are victimized.
On May 21, 2013, Liberia reached an agreement where the vast majority of Liberians, those living in rural communities in the country will have rights to customary land ownership rights. This was a major milestone in Liberia’s history through a reform process with the Liberia Land Commission presented to the former President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.
The reform defined public land, and private land, as well as protected areas that will be conserved for the benefit of all Liberians. Both Cllr. Bernard and Williams in addressing those issues, called on women to take into consideration some of the factors involved which could serve as stumbling block to their rights to ownership as well.
According to them, the land rights policy recognizes that practice has become the law and policy, rather than the law and policy guiding the practice.
Meanwhile, several participants attending the awareness held at the Highway Christian Fellowship, Rehab in ELWA along the Robertsfield Highway have lauded Medica-Liberia for the awareness program and promised to educate their family members and community members on the importance of the program.