By Vaye A. Lepolu
MONROVIA, Liberia – The Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) has conducted a training workshop for judges and magistrates across the country on the application of the Domestic Violence Law, as part of a strategic response to gender-based violence (GBV).
The workshop was organized in partnership with the Community Healthcare Initiative and the Liberia Association of Psychosocial Services, with support from the Danish Institute Against Torture (DIGNITY). The training focused on strengthening the judiciary’s capacity to address gender-based violence through the effective implementation of the Domestic Violence Act.
Speaking during the session, AFELL Vice President Cllr. Bowoul Taylor Kelley told participants that members of the judiciary hold a pivotal responsibility in delivering justice, safeguarding rights, and protecting survivors of domestic violence. She noted that the Domestic Violence Law provides a critical framework for ensuring accountability and upholding the dignity and security of those affected.
According to Cllr. Kelley, the interpretation and enforcement of the law have profound implications for community transformation and for establishing a society free from violence and fear. Cllr. Kelley also described gender-based violence as a pervasive challenge threatening the health, autonomy, and future of many Liberians, particularly women and children.
She said the workshop aims to deepen legal expertise and strengthen the implementation of the Domestic Violence Law, empowering judges and magistrates to provide informed, compassionate, and effective judicial responses. “The goal is to equip you with the practical knowledge, legal insight, and collaborative support necessary for this essential work,” she said.
Cllr. Kelley extended appreciation to the Community Healthcare Initiative, the Liberia Association of Psychosocial Services, and DIGNITY for their support. She stated that these collaborative efforts are laying the groundwork for sustainable progress rooted in legal excellence and holistic support for survivors.
She encouraged active participation, thoughtful exchange of experiences, and openness to new perspectives
Her words: “Let us reaffirm our shared commitment to justice, equality, and the eradication of gender-based violence. May this workshop inspire tangible action and reinforce our resolve to uphold and advance the Domestic Violence Law for the benefit of all Liberians.” The training was facilitated by former Associate Justice Felicia V. Coleman Patray, Co-Chair of the AFELL Board of Directors; former Chief Justice Gloria N. Scott, Board Member and Founder of AFELL; and former Frances Johnson Allison, Advisor to AFELL.
AFELL’s program adopts a holistic approach to responding to and preventing gender-based violence through the provision of legal, health, and psychosocial support to survivors and victims, while ensuring that perpetrators are punished in keeping with the law.
Participants expressed appreciation to AFELL for organizing the training for judges and magistrates across the country. The training hall in Bomi County was filled with a quiet sense of purpose as legal professionals gathered to reflect on the day’s sessions.
Cllr. T. Ciapha Carey, Resident Circuit Court Judge, addressed participants with a message focused on professional growth. Cllr. Carey spoke on the importance of continuous learning in the legal profession, describing the AFELL training as a meaningful experience with high practical value. He emphasized the need to strengthen the judiciary at the magisterial level, noting that every case begins there before advancing to the circuit courts.
According to him, bringing magistrates and other legal practitioners together created a space for open discussion, where gaps in knowledge were identified and addressed. Cllr. T. Ciapha Carey expressed gratitude to the presenters for sharing real-life experiences, which he said made the training impactful. Association Magistrate Bebdu K. Wilson, a National Trial Judge, also acknowledged the value of the training, particularly in addressing the daily realities of handling cases in court.
The Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) was established on February 10, 1994, during Liberia’s civil crisis to protect vulnerable women and children from abuse and injustice following the collapse of legal systems, and has since grown into the nation’s preeminent organization championing gender equality and access to justice through its unique composition of female legal professionals.
