Several Civil Society Organizations (CSO) from the Mano River Region united under the Theme ‘Concerted Actions for Zero Tolerance Against SGBV in the Mano River Region’ have ended a three-day workshop against sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Monrovia.
The consultative dialogue gathered CSOs from Liberia and Sierra Leone with the aim of developing a unified list of demands from the Feminist Alliance which tighten the fight against SGBV in the Mano River region and reaffirm their commitment to combating such menace.
“This initiative, involving the two countries seeks to eradicate the pervasive culture of violence affecting women and girls across the region” the Program Coordinator of Rising Youth Mentorship Initiative, Kou Amelia Dahn stated while giving a background of the workshop.
According to Madam Dahn, the gathering was intended to develop joint advocacy messages based on the outcomes of the budget analysis to be rolled out at the national level.
Also speaking with reporters at the end of the workshop on Friday, July 12, 2024, the Project Manager for the BMZ Project at medica Liberia, Fenny Taylor-Diggs, viewed the gathering as one intended to collaborate efforts in fight against SGBV in the region.
Madam Diggs indicated that the project is to ensure that the rights, needs, and perspectives of women and girls affected by SGBV are incorporated into societal, institutional, and political efforts to prevent and respond to SGBV at national and regional levels.
According to her, the comprehensive approach aims to reduce tolerance for SGBV and enhance survivor-centered, stress, and trauma-sensitive support.
Madam Taylor-Diggs added that Liberia and Sierra Leone are collaborating on the project due to their historical similarities ranging from war and cases of SGBV and believe that the countries concerted efforts will help reduce SGBV in the region.
“Our intent is to ensure that there is a massive reduction in the cases of SGBV in the region, if not, put it to an end totally and that’s why we have come together to derive the different demands in tackling SGBV with aligning messages” Madam Taylor-Diggs emphasized. She furthered that with strength in united voices, the CSOs believe that their collaboration will bring an end to SGBV in the region, asserting that the project is supported by medica modiale, a German humanitarian organization.
The gender advocate disclosed that unlike in the past, the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection budget has increased by US$ 4 million and it is hoped that such increase will impact the fight against SGBV.
The Executive Director of Women Against Violence and Exploitation in Society in Sierra Leone, Hannah Fatmata Yambasu, noted that for so long there has been an increase in the reported cases of SGBV in the Mano River Region and agreed that this requires a concerted action in order to be curtailed.
According to her, the gathering will provide a roadmap through the budget analysis as how advocates of SGBV engaged governments and other stakeholders in the region to tackle the menace.
She added that the project will also extend its advocacy to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) which is the regional organization in West Africa.
Madam Yambasu intimated that for several years the region has suffered dramatic increase in the cases of SGBV; something she believes, required the intervention of ECOWAS and other sub-regional organizations to help complement the efforts of CSOs in the region.
She revealed that in 2012, Sierra Leone allocated 12 percent of its budget to the Gender Ministry but expressed that that budget has since dropped to three percent.
Madam Yambasu maintained that such a decrease in budget of the Gender Ministry which is responsible for the fight against SGBV in the country has impeded the fight over the years.
The training brought together all 22 participants from the Six BMZ implementing partner organizations in both Liberia and Sierra Leone.
The joint efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence in the Mano River Region reflect a growing recognition of the need for collaborative approaches to tackle deeply entrenched issues.
By fostering solidarity and commitment among all stakeholders, the region moves closer to achieving a society where every individual can live free from violence and discrimination. Continued vigilance and cooperation will be crucial in realizing this vision for the future.
The Mano River Region has experienced significant political instability and conflict, which have exacerbated vulnerabilities to SGBV.
Women and girls are disproportionately affected, facing not only physical violence but also societal stigmatization and economic disenfranchisement and recognizing these challenges, various stakeholders have come together to forge a unified response.
Organizations involved in the joint effort include Rising Youth Mentorship Initiative (RYMI), medica Liberia (mL), Aiding Disadvantaged and Traumatized Women and Girls (ADWANGA), Women Against Violence and Exploitation in Society (WAVES), Girl2Girl Empowerment Movement (G2G) and Choices and Voices Foundation for Women and Girls (CVF).
The Mano River Region, comprising Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire, has long struggled with the pervasive issue of SGBV.
This violence, deeply rooted in cultural, economic, and political factors, has had devastating impacts on communities and hindered development.
In recent years, regional governments, civil society organizations, and international partners have intensified collaborative efforts to combat this pressing issue. Written by Siatta Scott-Johnson (freelancer)
