-On ending violence against women, girls in Liberia
By Jerromie S. Walters
UN Women Liberia is jointly conducting a two-day regional consultation with Traditional and Faith Leaders on ending violence against women and girls in Liberia, as part of the Traditional and Cultural Leaders For Ending GBV by Advancing Advocacy, Policy And Social Norms Change In Nigeria And West Africa – Leap Project.
The National Consultation kick-started on Monday, March 11, 2024, at Cape Hotel in Monrovia, Liberia, and is expected to climax today, March 12, 2024. The consultation entertained Presentation of the Regional Accountability Framework & Interactive Dialogue and what actions can traditional and religious leaders take to effectively prevent VAWG and harmful practices, end impunity, and enforce accountability.
At the Consultation on Monday, March 11, 2024, UN Women Liberia Country Representative Comfort Lamptey Informed participants that UN Women attaches significant importance to dignity, sanctity of life, and fairness as values enshrined in many religious and community doctrines in Liberia, Africa, and many other parts of the World. She says these values are also reflected in the United Nations Universal Human Rights Declaration which recognizes the inherent dignity as well as equal and inalienable rights of all as the foundation of freedom, justice, and peace in the world.
“However, Gender-based violence, in all its forms, violates these core values and differently affects women who make up more than half of the population of our countries. Traditional and faith leaders can play a big role in challenging the status quo. We have recently experienced changes in the process for the abolition of FGM in Liberia when traditional leaders banned FGM as a harmful practice.”
Madam Lamptey thanked UN Women Nigeria and the Ford Foundation for the three-year program for engaging Traditional and Cultural Leaders in the process of ending GBV by advancing advocacy, policy, and social norms change in West Africa. “Thank traditional and religious leaders for being part of this convening which will allow them to look back and gauge their progress in meeting the previous commitments made for ending SGBV and harmful practices, but also reaffirm these commitments in a regional accountability framework.”
She hopes that by the time the regional accountability framework is launched at the inaugural Annual GBV Prevention Summit to be convened by UN Women in Nigeria in May 2024, traditional and religious leaders will have advanced in implementing further actions to end SGBV and harmful practices.
“Recognize Chief Zanzan Karwor for being a champion on the promotion of women and girls’ rights in Liberia through the declaration of a ban in Liberia, and for various engagements he is leading in various counties to ensure that the ban is effectively implemented.”
Madam Lamptey, “Acknowledge the Government of Liberia for continued collaboration in the fight against FGM, and the promotion of women’s and girls’ rights in general. Thank the EU, development partners, and CSOs present for being trusted partners in the elimination of VAWG and harmful practices in Liberia. Thank all participants for dedicating time to this important event for reinforcing the accountability of key actors in the elimination of SGBV and harmful practices, and wish them a fruitful meeting.”
Like UN Women Liberia Country Representative, Liberia’s Traditional Queen and Cultural Ambassador, Juli Endee noted: “As a strong advocate for women’s and girls’ rights, I want to make it clear that I do not support discussing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) as a member of the Sande. However, I strongly believe in using my voice to make a difference.”
She hailed the UN system for confronting the strive to eliminate FGM respectfully and providing alternative means for traditional women as she referenced the heritage centers. “These centers were strategically placed in various locations where we originally had our Groves and included a safe space for children’s initiation without mutilation. This initiative started when I was just a little girl, and I am proud to have been a part of it.”
Ambassador Endee said that addressing the matter with regard, makes the traditional feel respected. “By approaching the matter with respect, progress can be made in the Ministry of Gender. Disrespecting the system will only hinder our efforts. Fortunately, UN representatives in Liberia recognized the importance of cultural communication and respect.”
She stressed: “They allowed the National Council to handle the matter, without interfering. Collaboration with experienced practitioners is key, as they possess valuable knowledge and skills. If we want women to succeed, we must support them and appoint leaders who recognize their potential. It is unacceptable to disrespect our heritage. We must honor and uphold our cultural values. Building a heritage center is a positive step towards achieving this. As practitioners, we demand respect and recognition.“
During her statement, she mentioned that the practice is deeply entrenched in Liberia. However, the Government of Liberia and the Ministry of Internal Affairs have made efforts to ban the practice. She recalled, “Presently, there is a national ban in Liberia, and efforts are being made to extend the ban.”
“The EU and UN Women Nigeria office have received a three-year project form from the 4th Foundation, and under this initiative, they are engaging with traditional culture leaders to end GBP through advocacy or policy change. At present, they are conducting regional consultations to review the commitments made by traditional assistance-based leaders. The project aims to facilitate the development of regional accountability and enhance capacities to address GBP. Today’s workshop has three key objectives: reflect on the experiences of traditional state-based leaders in addressing GBP in communities, discuss successes and areas of improvement, and identify gaps in capacities that require enhancement.”
At the consultation, Assistant Minister for Gender at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ophelia Kennedy articulated: “Thanks to the full cooperation of the National Council of Chiefs and Elders, the Government of Liberia is taking steps towards eliminating violence against women. In 2019, the year bank was placed on LGN, and this led the infantry of traditional practitioners to determine the number of groups and monitor what is happening in our traditional city. As a result, a draft bill to end all traditional practices was crafted and submitted to the Legislature for review.”
She assured, “The ministry will be engaged with the Legislature on this matter, and the Women Legislative Caucus will be involved. In 2022, LGN was placed again, and this has initiated the beginning of an end to FGM in Liberia. We thank the National Council of Chiefs and Headers of Liberia, headed by Chief Zanzan Kawar, for their support thus far.”
She says, “The government of Liberia is committed to ending FGM in Liberia and addressing all forms of gender-based violence. We acknowledge the support of our donors, including the UN, women, and the EU, in constructing cultural and heritage centers across five counties.”
The Minister further noted, “These centers will provide life skills training and get women involved in other economic activities. We believe that this regional consultation is important as it provides a valuable platform to share experiences, learn from one another, and strengthen regional cooperation to protect women. With this, she’s looking forward to engaging more to end all forms of violence.
From her end, Bong County District #6 Representative Mioma Briggs Mensah assured the legislature’s commitment to enacting the required law (s) that will legally prohibit the harmful practice. She says the House is awaiting the traditional women and their partners to give the green light. “We are waiting for the traditional petition document to say ‘yes’ to our way of taking this forward. We are committed to the process.”
She encouraged the need for government intervention and stressed, “We cannot rely solely on our partners. Everyone has agreed. The law must be passed this year, and we believe our partner is ready to take action and not just make promises. I assure you that it will be one of the important bills passed this year. Our culture values dignity, and we will ensure that everyone is respected throughout the process. Thank you.”
At the same time, Mrs. Rebecca A. Tarpeh, Major Secretary General of the Inter-Religious Council of Liberia articulated: “According to the Pew Forum Research on Religion and Public Life, in 2009 an average of 86% roughly nine in 10 people) of sub-Saharan Africa declared that religion is a very important aspect of their lives. African belief systems, cultures, and values have been always deeply connected to tradition and religion. Certainly, religious and traditional leaders play significant roles in maintaining values and practices that promote social cohesion in our respective communities. Today, we acknowledge the contributions of these renowned leaders in our communities.”
Notwithstanding, she stated, “We are also fully aware that traditional and faith traditions have been deemed as collective mechanisms for social control of women and the maintenance of patriarchy, aspects that ultimately lead to harmful gender relationships and practices. We acknowledge and appreciate the commitment of some traditional and faith leaders in addressing violence against women and girls, and transforming traditional and social norms.”
Mrs. Tarpeh: “But the question is, where are we today with this commitment when social inequalities including economic injustice and violence against women and girls remain prevalent on our continent and across the globe? I therefore agree with you. The need to review the commitment of faith and traditional leaders addressing religious and traditional norms that perpetuate violence against women and girls is critical.”
Furthermore, she stated: “I want to thank you for the opportunity to address this very important Regional Consultative Meeting. Madam As the first female secretary general of the Inter-Religious Council of Liberia I want to assure you of my fullest cooperation
in this endeavor. congregations! And I wish you a very successful deliberation.”
The regional consultation is being jointly held with UN Women Liberia and supported by Ford Foundation. The two-day consultation workshop is organized as part of a project known as “Traditional and Cultural Leaders for Ending GBV by Advancing Advocacy, Policy and Social Norms Change in Nigeria and West Africa (LEAP).
The project aims at meaningfully partnering with powerful agents of social change to shift underlying structures of power within communities, end harmful practices, address religious misconceptions, and transform cultural norms surrounding violence against women and girls (VAWG). These consultations are expected to review previous commitments of traditional and faith leaders towards ending VAWG and contribute to a regional accountability framework that will help to monitor the progress of traditional and faith leaders in eliminating VAWG, harmful practices, and promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights in West Africa.
