-In implementing the 2003 Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement
By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson I
The Disabled Children and FEMALE Empowerment NETWORK in conjunction with the Women’s Peace & Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) with support from UN Women Liberia, on Wednesday, August 7, 2024, initiated a day-long dialogue to address barriers that are hindering the representation and participation of women with disabilities in implementing the 2003 Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement.
The women with disabilities intimated that although the 14 years of civil war ended in 2003, the scars of the war in Liberia are very much visible to women with disabilities and lead them to suffer and live in hurt every day.
Amongst others, the women with disabilities in their recommendations seek to gain special support for education, want attention to the health needs of people living with disabilities, increase recruitment for women with disabilities at managerial levels, and shift in the micro-credit economic program targeting women with disabilities, and most importantly eliminate discrimination against women and girls with disabilities.
Providing an overview, the executive director of the Disabled Children and Female Empowerment Network, Thomas Kanagea Brown recorded that the 2009 TRC report which provides that women were tortured and rapped, also reported that 12% of the country’s population was led to disabilities as a direct consequence of the conflict, and 70% of the war victims were women.
He intimated that women, especially women with disabilities representation and participation in implementing the 2003 Accra Comprehensive Peace Agreement remain vital in sustaining peace (democracy) in Liberia.
The Executive Director of the Disabled Children and Female Empowerment Network further stated that the TRC recommendations provide for an inclusive and transparent monitoring of the recommendation’s implementation, highlighting the participation of marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities. Director Brown asserted that their inclusion recognizes the unique experiences and vulnerabilities during the conflict as they were often the most victimized groups.
He continued by adding that the full and timely implementation of these recommendations is critical to Liberia’s recovery and progress beyond the conflict and will contribute to the building of a more just and equitable society in which everyone is equal before one set of laws that guarantees equal protection and opportunity for all. In furtherance, he asserted that the scars of the war in Liberia are very much visible, women with disabilities are suffering and living in hurt every day.
However, he said although some laws and policies promote the participation and inclusion of women with disabilities, but, they are not given the opportunities to be represented in decision-making processes due to limited awareness of disabilities, and how they influence participation.
He pointed out that the lack of physical accessibility to spaces, access to information for persons with disabilities, access to inclusive education, and the lack of recognition through stereotypes and discrimination are hindering women with disabilities from participating in the peace process.
He continued by asserting that the limited economic opportunities Public awareness, community action, and government commitment are essential in addressing these issues (the 50 recommendations targeting women specifically those that speak to disabilities.
Therefore, the Executive Director of the Disabled Children and Female Empowerment Network wants strategies for effective policy engagement and targeted advocacy to influence decision-makers to effectively implement the 2009 TRC Recommendation.
For the part, Deodata Mukazayire on behalf of the UN Women Liberia has called on stakeholders and policy makers to address the recommendations brought forth by women with disabilities in a more inclusive manner. She postulated that for Liberia to attain full development, the peace of the country must be inclusive of all sectors of the society.
“If we keep silent on issues that confront women with disabilities, we will not achieve full peace. If the peace of Liberia is inclusive, development will be inclusive.”
She called on the disabled community and all national stakeholders to take actionable recommendations to benefit women and girls of the disabled. Meanwhile, Mukazayire intimated that the disabled Women of Liberia have contributed to bringing back peace in many ways and also continuing to strive to sustain the peace and development made so far.
However, she added that the absence of war does not mean there is peace. Asserting that there is a lot still needs to be done to make sure that every citizen is benefiting from the peace that was achieved. She stated that UN Women prioritizes inclusive peace and development. Therefore, the inclusion of women with disabilities for growth and development is a priority.
