The Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) has ended a two-day retreat in Ganta, Nimba County which began the adoption of a five-year strategic plan.
The initiative jointly supported by the European Union and the United Nations spotlight initiative was made a reality by the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights Policy under the rule of law pillar.
AFELL’s five-year strategic plan, among other things, seeks to encourage women’s participation, prevent physical assaults and ensure that women in politics are protected.
The Association intends that as part of its five-year plan, it will address exposure to violence that harms child’s development which shall include striving for a legislation that will stress government’s responsibility to ensure that children are provided that basic rights.
AFELL’s conclusive law seeks harmonize the economic hardship of parents and guardians against the right to protect a child from being used as sale agents and or beggars to support the family as well as an amendment to the 2011 children’s Law for the realization of the child’s rights including the capturing of gender insensitive laws
The five years plan was geared towards providing a five-year vision statement concentrating on key components of violence, the actors involved, policy making and litigation and or prosecution.
At the same time, the plan will help identify barriers, address the needs to take a comprehensive approach to make women and children feel save thereby promoting peace and security in the country.
However, AFELL’s president alarmed that the Association is incapacitated due to the lack of funding to finance litigation as such, it is desirous of designing an accelerated action plan that will advance Access to Justice under the rule of law.
Cllr. Philomena Williams, said it is unacceptable to abuse, assault women and even issue threats on women during and after the electioneering processes.
Cllr. Williams told her colleagues that Rustylne Dennis submitted a letter addressed to the Speaker of the 54th Legislature Dr. Bhofal Chambers, with a copy to AFELL on allegations of threats on her life and requesting protection and emphasized that that letter needs attention.
Human Rights Officer, Lee Dymacole Williams, pledged her office commitment to supporting AFELL’s activities.
Speaking on behalf of the Country’s Representative of the OHCHR, Uchenna Emelonye, Williams said, “It is expected that your work plan will incorporate specific activity aimed at enhancing laws and policies to protect women and girls’ issues in the Country.”
The two days intensive strategic plan among other things looked at the increase in women participation in politics and leadership.
