Liberia
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for September 2011
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for September 2011, the NGOWG had several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in Liberia:
The Security Council will be discussing renewal of the UNMIL mandate (SCR 1938), which expires on 30 September 2011. Particular emphasis should be placed on the upcoming elections in October 2011, and the country‟s high levels of sexual violence. While the government of Liberia has taken a lead in the region to promote women‟s rights through new legislation and policy frameworks supporting the implementation of Women, Peace and Security resolutions, the representation of women in elected office remains low. There are concerns about electoral violence, and whether the country‟s social reconciliation has been sufficiently prioritized, given lingering social divisions. The UNMIL mandate should call for targeted technical support for women for improved campaigning and lobbying skills, including through partnerships with civil society. The mandate should include concrete support for addressing the high levels of sexual violence, including replicating the women and children’s desks’ in police stations outside of Monrovia; support for strengthening the judicial system to ensure accountability for such crimes, including the court system and capacity of the police; and education and awareness campaigns. The UNMIL mandate should support the implementation of Liberia‟s National Action Plan on SCR 1325.
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for September 2010
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for September 2010, the NGOWG had several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in Liberia:
The UN mission in Liberia (UNMIL) should have a clearer focus and wider reach on women, peace and security issues. In its mandate renewal, entry points for the Council include:
- Taking concrete steps, with the Liberian government, to prevent and reduce election-related gender-based violence prior to and
post the 2011 Liberian election, including ensuring the security of women candidates during the 2011 campaigning in light of the
possibility of gender-based intimidation of candidates and activists, a particular problem in Lofa county and the southeast.
UNMIL must also be be prepared for possible post election violence, particularly gender-based violence.
- Broaden – with resources – UNMIL’s objective of strengthening civil society organizations as a link between individuals and state
institutions to the entire country, rather than focusing primarily on a capital-based group of Liberian NGOs.
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for August 2010
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for August 2010, the NGOWG had several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in Liberia:
Physical and sexual violence continue to be reported at alarmingly high levels in Liberia. The next report on UNMIL, the UN mission in Liberia, must contain information on the progress of the Liberian government’s GBV National Action Plan and whether prevention and response efforts have improved access to critical services, reduced impunity for these crimes, and improved women’s security. Furthermore, the report should indicate whether women have benefited from increased educational and economic opportunities as a means to reduce their vulnerability and ensure they benefit from peace.
Additionally, the section of the report providing an overview economic situation should mention the unique aspects of the economic empowerment of adolescent girls. Member States should request information on this issue as it pertains to keeping young women from possibly having to engage in high risk activities to survive and provide for their families. It is important that the report cover these issues in light of UNMIL’s forthcoming mandate renewal, due in September.
Monthly Action Points on Women, Peace & Security for February 2010
NGO Working Group on Women, Peace & Security
In the MAP for February 2010, the NGOWG had several recommendations for the Security Council on the current situation in Liberia:
In the next report on the UN mission in Liberia, UNMIL should provide information on its progress in sensitizing and develop the capacity of its personnel, the Government of Liberia and civil society with regard to issues of gender, sexual and gender-based violence, and sexual exploitation and abuse. The report should include the current status of human rights in Liberia, including the weakness of rule of law institutions, economic insecurity, and the continuing limited access to social services. Finally, the report should address progress and challenges in ensuring that the Liberian National Police Gender Unit receives ongoing adequate gender training, and adequate logistical and equipment support for the unit.
Download the February MAP [PDF]
Liberia: Protect Refugees Against Sexual Abuse
April 20th, 2011
Human Rights Watch
Dozens of Ivorian refugee women and girls recently arrived in eastern Liberia say they have had to engage in sex to get adequate food, shelter, or money, Human Rights Watch said.
[Full Article]
Liberia: Rural Women Want Inclusion In Politics
June 8th, 2011
Peace Women
As the Presidential and General Elections draw nearer, women in rural Liberia have called on political parties to include them as decision-makers in their various manifestos. The rural women are calling on leaders of political parties to allow them occupy higher positions in political parties and in the decision-making process of the country.
[Full Article]
Liberia: Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review
April 2010
Amnesty International
Amnesty International’s Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review on Liberia. Encompassing Liberia’s Constitution, treaties Liberia is party to, Amnesty International’s concerns in relation to to inadequate disarmament,demobilization, rehabilitation and reintegration of former combattants; delays in establishing the Independent National Human Rights Commission; impunity for past human rights violations; impunity for current abuses by state actors; corruption; violence against women; children’s human rights; failures in the justice system; land disputes; inter-ethnic and religious violence; restricted freedom of the press; discrimination against lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people; and the death penalty, as well as Amnesty International’s recommendations for action by the government to address the areas of concern.
Link to Liberia: Submission to the UN Universal Periodic Review
Liberia: Dreams Deferred: Educational and Skills-building Needs and Opportunities for Youth in Liberia
September 2009
Women’s Refugee Commission
The Women’s Refugee Commission undertook a field mission to the Republic of Liberia to look at young people’s education and skills-building needs and opportunities. With the demobilization, disarmament, rehabilitation and reintegration process over as of July 2009, it is now an opportune time to take stock
of the youth employment training that has been ongoing since the end of Liberia’s 14-year civil war in 2003—and to find better ways forward. While connecting youth to wage employment is challenging given the weak job market in Liberia, the Women’s Refugee Commission, through interviews with national and international organizations, local businesses and young people, identified a number of sectors with potential high labor demand for young people. Specific fields are listed in this report, with special attention to the needs of young people in rural areas where wage jobs in traditional trades are nearly non-existent.
Link to Report
Lessons from Liberia: Reintegrating Women in Post-Conflict Liberia
March 2009
Amnesty International
An assessment of the situation for women in Liberia, post conflict including issues such as; engendering disarmament and reintegration, future challenges with regard to the reintegration of women, campaigning for women through film and recommendations to the UN and Liberian government.
Link to Lessons from Liberia: Reintegrating Women in Post-Conflict Liberia
Post War Process in Liberia
March 2008
Amnesty International
A report on the post-war process in Liberia, based on the belief that a flawed process discriminates against women and girls.
Link to Post War Process in Liberia
Member Organizations
© 2012 NGO Working Group on Women, Peace and Security