The Civil Society National Reference Group (CS NRG), under the European Union Spotlight Initiative program, presented its year-end report with emphasis on human rights violations, mostly violence against women, girls, and marginalized groups that cut across all countries and cultures.
By Mae Azango | [email protected]
The group, through its chair, Mr. Tamba F. J. Johnson, stated in a recent press conference held in Monrovia, that sustained patriarchal systems and emerging societal misconceptions are grave contributing elements undermining and preventing women, girls, and other underprivileged groups from the rights of inclusion into holistic spaces of decision-making and participation in all spheres of life.
“To have a developed, functioning, and stable society, gender equality/equity, social inclusion, accountability, and transparency are basic fundamental human rights of all persons irrespective of their sexual orientation, creeds, and status,” he said.
Tamba further mentioned that Liberia happens to be one of eight countries in the world implementing the Spotlight Initiative (SI) activities over the past four years, from 2018 to the present. With the resilience and inclusiveness of all sectors, the SI has made significant milestones toward the fight for gender inclusion, institutional strengthening, litigations, SGBV response, data collection and analysis, including the banning of FGM in Liberia and the exclusion of women and girls at key decision-making spaces, which includes Women Movement, feminist movement, rural women/grassroots organizations, and marginalized groups.
“One of such gains is the ban/suspension of FGM practices in Liberia, the erection of four heritage cultural centers, the provision of village saving loans to over 250 female FGM practitioners, the purchase of an additional three DNA mechanisms, and the training of over four technicians/pathologists by the UNFPA to operate those DNA mechanisms in Liberia, which is now assisting with SGBV fights at the level of the Judiciary,” he said.
He further stated that there is now a considerable increment in men and boys’ masculinity mentorship, contributing significantly to more He For She campaigners (men more supportive of women/girls) and more reported cases of SGBV.
“Fellow Liberians, with all of these gains made, can we say that we are there? Absolutely, NO! Though we have not reached our peak, we can safely say that we are not where we were four years ago as a country toward gender equality, but we have made some level of improvement. Thanks to all for this teamwork. Yes, the fact is remarkable, that more Liberians, mostly men and boys, are now knowledgeable about the importance of gender equality and male roles in protecting and creating conducive spaces and environments for women and girls to have their voices and representation felt,” he said.
Responding to the question of FGM not being included in the Domestic Violence Bill, Tamba said Liberia has not gotten there yet because FGM was removed from the Domestic Violence Bill. The Legislature felt that it was a traditional issue and could not form part of the bill. Even though there is a ban on FGM in 2023 by traditional chiefs and elders, since there is no law against FGM, it is difficult to fight it.
Also speaking at the press conference was Ms. Berttee Frkpabio, Gender Specialist of Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL). She said it is important to understand societal norms and laws because the minds of men have not been oriented properly due to traditional norms, which believe that a girl is prepared for marriage as soon as her feminine curves are developed. So, in order to have the SGBV fight, men have to get involved.
“This is why the upcoming 16 days of activism, we are pushing more legality and policy issues because when it comes to prosecution against the fight of GBV, it is still a challenge because the Judge’s minds are not developed to hold perpetrators accountable for rape to ensure the law,” she said.
Eric Nagbe, National Coordinator of Servant of All Prayer Assembly, said they will also engage stakeholders as there is less support for the justice system.
“We have noticed that mostly in the rural areas, law enforcement officers find it difficult to go after perpetrators due to a lack of logistics. So, we want to appeal to the legislature to increase support to the justice system,” he said.
In closing, the Civil Society National Reference Group listed a few challenges and recommendations for consideration:
That priorities and increased support be given to male mental health programs, masculinity in schools, workplaces, and communities in future programs.
That consideration be given in future programs to support women and children protection at the Liberia National Police in counties, and that more females be engaged and encouraged to avoid reverting to compromising SGBV cases.
That increased logistical and financial supports be prioritized in future programs for the law enforcement body, prosecuting lawyers/partners to ensure speedy and timely litigation of SGBV.
That sustained mentorship supports be provided to Civil Society Organizations and Community-Based Organizations through an experienced local organization for transparency, accountability, and deliverables.
That the National Civil Society National Reference Group be launched as a recognized and legitimate structure, adhering to global alliances, be supported and considered as a valuable partner to the One UN under the UN Women and Development partners, ensuring the body continues roles as an advisory, advocate, and monitor.
