By Bill W. Cooper
The Association of Female Lawyers in Liberia (AFELL) over the weekend, joined the rest of the world to commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day (IWD), with a call to end sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) and all forms of violence against women in the country.
The event, which took place on March 8, brought together female lawyers, activists, market women, and members of the public to raise awareness about the prevalence of violence against women and to advocate for stronger laws and policies to protect women and girls.
This year’s International Women’s Day was celebrated under the global theme: “Invest in Women: Accelerate Progress” and local theme: “Empower Her: Empower All’ Women know thy rights.”
The International Women’s Day (IWD), which is celebrated March 8 of every year, is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women, as the day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality.
The IWD has occurred for well over a century, with the first IWD gathering held in 1911 supported by over a million people. Today, IWD belongs to all groups collectively everywhere, as it is not country, group, or specific organization.
The Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization duly incorporated under the laws of Liberia on February 24, 1994, with accreditation from the Ministry of Planning.
AFELL is a direct response to endure advocacy for the rights and promotion for the advancement of women, children, and indigent persons, as its mission is to advocate for the promotion, protection, and advancement of the rights of women, children and indigent persons in Liberia.
Thematic areas of AFELL in Liberia focus include Domestic Violence Act, Rape Law, Domestic Relations Law, Dependent Estate Law, Equal Rights Law, and General Access to AFELL Legal Aid Clinic.
The event started with a parade from the AFELL office to various market places, including the Duala market, Rally Town market, and Waterside market, featuring discussion on the impact of SGBV on women and girls in Liberia.
Also, some of the market women used the occasion to share their personal experiences and highlight the challenges they are faced with in their respective homes on a daily basis, craving for advice to end the malice.
The discussion also focused on the need for increased funding for SGBV prevention and response programs, including the importance of providing training for law enforcement officers, healthcare providers, among others, on how to respond to cases of violence against women.
Some of those sharing their stories highlighted the many neglects, insults, brutality, and maltreatment they continue to receive from their various spouses, with some of them being made as single struggling parents selling to cater to the wellbeing of their child or children.
“In my home, my boyfriend used to beat on me severely and openly insult me, and worst of it all, when I tried to report the incident to the police, they did not take me seriously, not even my parents or his parents.
At one point in time, I had to seek help from a friend when I could no long bear it, but today, all of the three children we had together, their burden are on my heads and he has told me that once I don’t come back home, he will not help with the children. So, what can I do now?” Vera Smith asked.
Musu cried out that there is need for national government to strengthen various laws and policies intended to protect and save women from SGBV in Liberia, on grounds that no woman should be maltreated by their male counterpart and should be allowed to live in a safe space.
In remarks, AFELL president highlighted the alarming rates of SGBV and other forms of violence being meted against women in Liberia, with a call on the government to take urgent action to address the malice eating up the fabric of the Liberian society.
She emphasized the need for comprehensive legal reforms to ensure that perpetrators of violence against women are held accountable, and that survivors have access to justice and support services.
Johnson also stressed the importance of changing societal attitudes towards women and girls, noting that gender inequality and discrimination are root causes of violence against women.
She then called on all stakeholders, including the government, civil society organizations, and the private sector, to work together to promote gender equality and empower women and girls to live free from violence.
Commenting on the women’s questions, Johnson also called on the government to prioritize the protection of women and girls in its policies and programs, and to ensure that survivors of violence have access to the support and services they need to heal and rebuild their lives.
She further urged the public to speak out against SGBV and to support efforts to end violence against women in Liberia, as well as called on the public to report all case of SGBV cases and cases of discrimination against women to AFELL.
Meanwhile, the event came to a close, with participants getting a sense of renewed hope and pledged to continue the fight for gender equality and women’s rights in Liberia, while AFELL also vowed to continue its advocacy work, aimed to support women’s rights in the country.
