By Grace Q. Bryant
The Integrity Watch Liberia (IWL) in collaboration with the Women’s NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) and supported by Conciliation Resources, have launched an advocacy initiative aimed at accelerating the implementation of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s (TRC) recommendations project.
The launch event, held on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, in Monrovia, brought together representatives from civil society, government officials, women’s groups, and stakeholders from the World and Economic Crimes Court (WECC).
The initiative focuses on integrating gender-sensitive measures and amplifying women’s voices in the pursuit of justice and accountability.
The initiative will involve extensive consultations with stakeholders, awareness campaigns to combat misinformation, and training programs to empower women and other marginalized groups.
The ultimate goal is to establish gender-sensitive frameworks within transitional justice mechanisms, ensuring inclusive representation and the protection of survivors.
Speaking at the program, the Executive Director of Integrity Watch Liberia, Harold M. Marvin, emphasized the importance of ensuring women’s participation and protection in transitional justice processes.
“Women have borne the greatest brunt of the conflict, and their voices must be central in discussions of justice and accountability,” he stated.
He added that the project will advocate for gender-sensitive mechanisms in the establishment of the World and Economic Crimes Court and related TRC recommendations.
“This is not just about addressing past wrongs but creating a foundation for a brighter, more inclusive future for all Liberians,” Marvin concluded.
The six-month project, funded by the Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund through Conciliation Resources, aims to engage over 300 policymakers, civil society leaders, and women’s groups, while reaching an estimated 30,000 individuals through town hall meetings, radio programs, and other public forums.
The project aims to address longstanding issues around justice and accountability for atrocities committed during Liberia’s conflict.
It emphasizes integrating gender-sensitive measures into transitional justice mechanisms, with a specific focus on empowering women and marginalized groups.
According to him, women, having played a significant role in Liberia’s peace processes and disproportionately bearing the impact of the conflict, are central to the initiative.
Activities include mobilizing women-led CSOs, engaging policymakers, and conducting public awareness campaigns to amplify women’s voices in transitional justice.
The project will involve town hall meetings, stakeholder consultations, media engagements, and capacity-building programs.
It targets direct engagement with 300 individuals, including policymakers and CSOs, and indirect outreach to 30,000 people across Liberia.
Launching the project on behalf WECC boss, the director of a division within the World and Economic Crimes Court, Frederick Gbemie underscored the court’s commitment to gender mainstreaming and inclusivity.
“The Executive Director of the WECC is a gender champion, and our office is dedicated to ensuring that all processes are gender and disability sensitive,” he said.
He called on Integrity Watch Liberia and its partners to maximize their efforts to deliver on the project’s objectives and ensure that women’s issues remain central to the discourse.
The Regional Director of Conciliation Resources, Janet Adama Mohammed, praised Liberian civil society for its dedication to promoting peace and justice.
“The TRC recommendations, particularly those addressing gender issues, are essential for healing and sustainable peace,” she said.
She urged stakeholders to remain committed to implementing the TRC’s findings, noting that the initiative marks “a new beginning for Liberia.”
The Secretary General of the Liberia Council of Churches, Christopher Wleh Toe, highlighted the faith community’s unwavering support for the implementation of the TRC recommendations.
“Truth is essential to address the hurt, anger, and depression that many Liberians have endured,” he said.
Toe criticized past efforts to sideline the TRC recommendations and called for collective action to ensure accountability for war and economic crimes.
He called for greater action on the TRC’s recommendations, stating that the implementation process should no longer be delayed or politicized.
“We cannot continue to delay the healing process of our people. This project is a critical step in ensuring that accountability is upheld and that Liberia can move forward,” he said.
Toe also outlined the Council’s ongoing efforts to engage in human rights advocacy and promote accountability within the context of war crimes and economic crimes.
He called for continued collaboration among all sectors of society to strengthen the implementation of the TRC recommendations.
The Executive Director of WONGOSOL, Esther D. Yango, emphasized the importance of collective efforts to ensure the implementation of the TRC recommendations.
She highlighted the need to address the impact of conflict-related violence on women and girls while empowering them as agents of change.
Yango stressed the significance of documenting untold stories, addressing trauma, and promoting gender equity to achieve sustainable peace in Liberia.
She called on all Liberians to support justice and accountability processes, noting that achieving these goals requires collaboration, government commitment, and active public participation.
She criticized the lack of sustainability in past government projects and urged stakeholders to work together to hold the government accountable, ensuring the success of this initiative.
Yango reiterated that this is a national effort, not just the responsibility of a select group, and concluded by urging all Liberians to join forces to build an inclusive and equitable society.
