MONROVIA – The Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) recently conducted a comprehensive training workshop for judges and magistrates in various courtrooms with the goal of combatting domestic violence and ensuring justice for its victims.
The one-day workshop aimed to familiarize judges, magistrates, and other judicial workers with the Domestic Violence Act and its effective implementation throughout Liberian society.
During the opening remarks at the training workshop held on Friday, October 6, 2023, in Monrovia, AFELL’s President, Philomena Williams, highlighted the prevalence of domestic violence in Liberia and the urgent need for justice. She emphasized that survivors often suffer in silence due to a lack of legal recourse, as courts rarely apply the law to provide relief, while perpetrators believe their actions are normal.
Attorney Williams stressed that the training’s focus was on equipping judges and magistrates with the knowledge and sensitivity required to dispense justice under the Domestic Violence Act, particularly in cases of abuse and violence.
She further emphasized that judges and magistrates play a crucial role in responding to gender-based violence by adjudicating cases in accordance with the Act and applying appropriate penalties.
Attorney Williams also noted that the training aimed to improve responses to such cases, discuss necessary legal reforms, and ensure that prescribed penalties align with the seriousness of the crimes committed.
“We are confident that this training will enhance the competence of judicial actors, guarantee sound judicial decisions, improve court performance, and ensure an efficient justice system for victims and survivors,” she explained.
AFELL expressed its trust in judges and magistrates to remain committed to making a positive impact in society by delivering fair, impartial, and transparent decisions. The organization highlighted that the training would be conducted by esteemed legal experts to ensure the correct and effective application of the law.
The training was attended by over 20 judges and magistrates, survivors of gender-based violence, and prominent legal practitioners. It was facilitated by legal luminaries, including Liberia’s former Chief Justice, Frances Johnson Allison; Former Associate Justice, Felecia Coleman; and the head of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence at the Ministry of Justice, Cllr. Isaac George.
The workshop received support from partners such as the Danish Institute Against Torture (DIGNITY), Community Healthcare Initiative (CHI), and the Liberia Association of Psychosocial Services (LAPS).
Participants expressed the importance of the training and hoped that AFELL would successfully achieve its goals and objectives.
In a poignant moment, a survivor of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence shared her harrowing experience, detailing over five years of abuse since her marriage in 2018. She spoke of numerous instances of physical and emotional abuse at the hands of her husband, recounting her futile attempts to seek help from the police and church. The survivor called upon AFELL and its partners to support her in her quest for justice and safety, urging them to bring an end to her suffering.