By Bill W. Cooper
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), in collaboration with the House of Representatives’ Standing Committee on Gender, over the weekend, convened the first policy dialogue focused on three critical legislative issues in the country.
They are the Women Legal Service Bill, the Female Genital Mutilation Bill, and the Amended Elections Laws of 1986, aimed at advancing women and girl’s rights, coupled with gender equality across Liberia.
The theme for this year event is: “Breaking Legal Barriers, Advancing Laws: Strengthening Policy Frameworks for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment,” held under the Component 4 of the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (WEP): Strengthening Public Institutions to Advance Gender Equality.
The event, held at the Gender Ministry’s office, Friday, December 13, 2024, in Monrovia discussed the implications of these bills and the urgent need for reform.
The dialogue was also marked by passionate discussions and a shared commitment to addressing the systemic barriers that women and girls face in Liberia, especially Sexual and Gender based violence issues.
Officially opening the meeting, Gender Minister, Gbeme Horace-Kollie emphasized the importance of creating a legal framework that protects women’s rights and promotes gender equality.
She said, “Today, we stand at a crossroads in our nation’s history as such, the Legal, and the Amended Elections Laws are not just legislative proposals; they are vital instruments for empowering women and ensuring voices aspect of society together to ensure these bills are passed and implemented effectively.”
Earlier giving the overview of the meeting, Deputy Gender Minister for Research, Policy and Planning, Curtis V. Dorley, said the Women Service Bill is a legal framework that provides, particularly in cases of domestic violence, sexual assault, and other forms of gender-based violence.
According to him, the bill also seeks to create a dedicated legal aid service for women, ensuring that they have the resources and support needed to navigate the legal system.
As for the Female Genital Mutilation Bill, Deputy Minister Dorley noted that the issue of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) remains a contentious debate in Liberia, where the practice is deeply rooted in cultural traditions.
This, he maintained that the proposed FGM Bill seeks to criminalize the practice and provide support for survivors, revealing that the bill is also essential for protecting the health and rights of women and girls.
Deputy Minister Dorley asserted that the Amended Elections Laws of 1986 are also under scrutiny, particularly regarding their implications for women’s political participation, and indicated that despite progress in recent years, women remain underrepresented in political leadership positions in Liberia.
He further mentioned that the amended laws aim to create a more inclusive electoral process and encourage greater participation of women in politics.
Meanwhile, proxying for the World Bank Country Manager to Liberia, Georgia Wallen, the Bank Senior Social Development Specialist, Uzmu Quresh, highlighted the importance of increasing women’s representation in government and decision-making bodies.
She further emphasized that women’s voices must be included in the political discourse to ensure that their needs and concerns are addressed, and added, “Women are not just voters; they are leaders, decision-makers, and change agents.”
While the European Union (EU) Ambassador to Liberia, Nona Deprez, urged her colleagues, “We need to create an environment where women can thrive in politics and contribute to the development of our nation as such, the amended elections laws must reflect this commitment.”
Also, UN Women Country Representative to Liberia, Comfort Lamptey, also highlighted women challenges faced in accessing justice in Liberia, the West African region and the world at large.
She added that many women lack the financial means to hire legal representation, and cultural stigmas often prevent them from seeking help, and added, “So, the Women Legal Service Bill is seen as a crucial step towards dismantling these barriers.”
At the same time, the House of Representatives Chairperson on Gender and Co-convener, Moima Briggs-Mensah shared her personal stories and testimonies about the impact of FGM on women’s lives in Liberia, especially in her county, Bong.
She also spoke of the physical and psychological trauma that results from the procedure, as well as the societal pressures that perpetuate the practice, and noted, “FGM is not just a health issue; it is a violation of human rights.” “So, I am happy to be part of this dialogue because it is important that we, as government must educate our communities about the dangers of FGM and work towards eradicating this harmful practice because this FGM Bill is a critical step in that direction,” Rep. Briggs-Mensah added.
