Kinjor, Cape Mount County – The Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) has launched a new initiative titled “Enhancing Peace and Social Cohesion Through the Promotion of Equitable Access and Use of Land for Rural Women in Conflict-Prone Communities.”
The program, supported by the UN Women/Peace Building Fund, aims to bolster the capacity of women in concession areas to participate and negotiate concession agreements; while also monitoring their implementation.
During the launch event, AFELL President, Atty. Philomena T. Williams detailed the project’s scope, including providing technical support to workers’ unions and women in these areas.
Atty. Williams said “AFELL will offer legal aid services to survivors of sexual and gender-based violence and conduct awareness sessions for senior management. The organization will also facilitate dialogues between female workers’ unions and management, and train concession operators on their responsibilities under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights.”
For her part, AFELL Vice President, Cllr. Bowoulo Taylor Kelley explained that AFELL’s mission focuses on advocating for the rights of women and children in Liberia.
Cllr. Taylor Kelley that the project will concentrate on Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, Bomi, and Nimba Counties, providing women with tools and capacity building to identify and claim their rights, with legal representation available for victims.
During an interactive session, women from Kinjoy voiced their distress, alleging sexual and physical abuse, job scarcity, and lack of support. They claimed that job opportunities are limited, and existing positions are often given to people from outside their communities. The women also accused Bea Mountain Mining of mistreating them and preventing access to their land.
Atty. Williams reported that AFELL has attempted to meet with Bea Mountain Mining’s management, but was denied access twice.
She said “The organization has contacted the company’s Monrovia office without success and remains hopeful for a resolution.” In contrast, AFELL expressed gratitude to Western Cluster’s management in Bomi County for their willingness to collaborate on protecting women’s rights in concession areas.
