-As AFELL launches project aimed at promoting peace and social cohesion
Kingjor, Cape Mount County – The Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) recently launched a project aimed at promoting peace and social cohesion through equitable access to land for rural women in conflict-prone communities. However, the paramount aims of the project launched in Grand Cape Mount County appear to be undermined by one of the major concession companies in the area, considering how it continues to renege on what should be a mutual dialogue for the common good of the people.
AFELL President, Atty. Philomena T. Williams, expressed her disappointment after her team was denied access to meet with the management of Bea Mountain Mining Company on two separate occasions. Even though it operates in the area. During the women’s program in Kingjor, Under the newly launched project, AFELL aims to provide technical support to workers’ unions and women in concession areas, empowering them to participate in negotiations concerning concessions agreements and monitor their implementation.
This initiative is particularly crucial for women in Kingjor, who, during an interactive session, voiced their concerns about severe maltreatment by the mining company. Many participants, fearing retaliation, chose to remain anonymous but collectively stated, “We are suffering.”
The women of Kingjoy voiced serious allegations of sexual and physical abuse, highlighting their dire situation. “We do not have jobs; we are doing SEX WORK to survive”. They stated the lack of job opportunities. “There is no support for the children. “There is no farming area, because the company took all the land”. They complained that women are not allowed to sit on any negotiation to express their needs- “they say women have no voice” We are suffering, no job opportunities, no business opportunities. Even when jobs are available, they bring people from outside and from Monrovia for employment”
They expressed frustration over their exclusion from negotiations regarding their needs, claiming, The women also alleged mistreatment by Bea Mountain Mining Company, stating, “We do not have access to enter the fence, so we want AFELL to engage Bea Mountain’s management. We want to be empowered. We are appealing to AFELL to help us.”
In recounting the attempts to meet with Bea Mountain’s management, Atty. Williams shared that during their first visit, a representative identified as Mr. Gipli, the Human Resources Manager, informed them that a meeting could not take place in Kingjor. Instead, they were advised to send a communication to the company’s Monrovia office. Unfortunately, this approach yielded no response. Despite these setbacks, Atty. Williams says she is optimistic that Bea Mountain’s management will eventually engage with AFELL to address the serious allegations raised by the local women.
The women’s program
The Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) recently officially launched its new initiative, “Enhancing Peace and Social Cohesion Through the Promotion of Equitable Access to and Use of Land for Rural Women in Conflict-Prone Communities,” aimed at supporting women in the region. The project, which is sponsored by UN Women and the Peace Building Fund, seeks to address pressing issues faced by rural women in concession-affected areas.
During the launch event, AFELL President Atty. Philomena T. Williams outlined the project’s objectives, emphasizing the provision of legal aid services to victims and survivors of sexual and gender-based violence in these communities. She announced that AFELL has already begun conducting awareness sessions for senior management in local concessions and will facilitate dialogues between female workers’ unions and management teams. “We will train concessions on their duties under the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights,” Atty. Williams stated.
AFELL Vice President Cllr. Bowoulo Taylor Kelley further elaborated on the organization’s mission to advocate for the promotion, protection, and advancement of the rights of women and children in Liberia. She revealed that AFELL will focus its activities in four counties: Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, Bomi, and Nimba. “We will equip women with the tools necessary for capacity building, enabling them to identify violations and abuses of their rights,” Kelley explained, adding that legal representation will be readily available for those victimized in concession areas.
The Association of Female Lawyers (AFELL) is a non-profit, non-governmental organization duly incorporated under the laws of Liberia of the Republic of Liberia on February 24, 1994, with accreditation from the Ministry of Planning. It is a direct response to enduring advocacy for the rights and promotion of the advancement of women, children, and indigent persons. AFELL’s mission is to advocate for the promotion, protection, and advancement of the rights of women, children, and indigent persons in society.
