By Bill W. Cooper
The Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) and partners have successfully concluded a one-day validation session on the Human Rights Advocacy Strategy for Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention and Response in the country.
The event, held at the Bella Cassa Hotel in Monrovia, aimed to address the pressing issue of GBV and develop an inclusive framework to combat this grave violation of human rights.
The validation session brought together an array of stakeholders, including representatives from civil society organizations, government officials, and international agencies, among others.
Additionally, the attendees engaged in productive discussions, sharing their expertise and experiences to shape a comprehensive strategy to combat GBV and violence perpetrated against women and girls, as well as provide effective support to survivors.
Furthermore, the advocacy strategy was developed with financial and technical support from Spotlight Initiative, through the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
The Spotlight Initiative project also provided funds for the development of the AFELL strategic plan which outlines AFELL mission and vision, including comprehensive GBV programming, outlining key objectives and activities, emerging issues, key challenges, and relevant suggestions for enhancement.
During the opening remarks, AFELL’s 1st Vice president and Officer-In-Charge, Atty. Bowoulo T. Kelly, stated that the advocacy strategy is intended primarily for AFELL to aid interventions to prevent and respond to GBV using comprehensive, multifactorial and multi-level approaches.
Atty. Kelly also stated that the strategy will be used as a tool by AFELL to advocate for the protection of women, girls, and marginalized groups from all forms of violence; reinforce legal mechanisms that will protect women and girls; and ensure accountability for GBV in Liberia.
According to her, the strategy also focuses on advocacy with relevant stakeholders, including government, the judiciary, and nongovernmental organizations, community leaders, women, and youth leaders.
She added, “Notwithstanding, the advocacy strategy can also be utilized by other human rights institutions, with focus on addressing GBV against women, girls and marginalized groups, including LGBTIQ+ and persons with disability, to address issues of concerns.”
The validation session also featured presentations from Cllr. Aloysius Toe and Wilfred Gray Johnson, international partners. They commended the collaborative efforts and emphasized the importance of a multi-faceted approach to address GBV effectively.
The Chairperson of the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), Cllr. Dempster Brown, highlighted the urgency of addressing GBV and stressed the importance of collaborative efforts.
She added, “Gender-based violence is a violation of human rights that affects individuals, families, and communities. It is our collective responsibility to eradicate it and ensure justice for survivors.”
Earlier, OHCHR Deputy Country Representative, Pasipau Chirwa, thanked and expressed her gratitude to AFELL leadership and all participants for their invaluable contributions and reaffirmed OHCHR commitment to implementing the strategy.
She added, “Today marks an important milestone in our collective journey towards eliminating GBV. We are grateful for the diverse perspectives shared during this session, and we will work tirelessly to translate this strategy into concrete actions.”
Meanwhile, at the end of the session, participants collectively endorsed the human rights advocacy strategy on GBV prevention and response, as it reflects a comprehensive and evidence-based framework, encompassing prevention, intervention, and support mechanisms.
It also focuses on strengthening legislation, enhancing coordination among stakeholders, and promoting a survivor-centered approach, and will now serve as a guiding document for AFELL and its partner organizations.
It will form the basis for advocacy campaigns, policy dialogues, and collaborative initiatives aimed at preventing GBV, protecting survivors, and ensuring their access to justice and support services.
Furthermore, as the session came to a close, participants left with a renewed sense of determination and hope. Their collective efforts, along with the validated strategy, have set the stage for a more collective effort to address the GBV malice.
