Liberia
English
In Liberia, IDLO works in partnership with the US Department of State’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) to support the government in its efforts to combat trafficking in persons. Since the start of the initiative in 2016, IDLO has supported Liberia in improving its ranking on the US State Department’s Trafficking in Persons Report, passing an amendment to the country’s trafficking law to ensure harsher penalties for perpetrators, developing a digitized management system to track trafficking in persons cases along the criminal justice chain, and revising capacity development materials for law enforcement and justice sector actors to ensure a victim-centred focus in the handling of cases. IDLO continues to support efforts in Liberia and the Mano River subregion to enhance the capacity of law enforcement officers, lawyers and judges to investigate, prosecute and adjudicate trafficking in persons cases. We also work to build the capacities of women law enforcement officers, supporting their professional advancement and addressing gender discrimination in law enforcement agencies.
Strengthening the rule of law, justice and security in Liberia
Over a decade has passed since the end of conflict in Liberia, but incidence of sexual and gender-based violence has not diminished. Numerous studies reveal an extremely high prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence. According to an IDLO study, in 2015 1396 cases were reported to the Montserrado five one-stop clinics alone. Among those cases, 267 were reported to the Women’s and Children’s Protection Section within the Liberia National Police, 119 received an indictment, while only 3 cases went through to trial.
Postcards from female police: Liberia National Police fund
In the months following the launch of the Liberia National Police fund, an initiative for female police officers to undertake skills training, IDLO has been supporting professional development activities as part of the broader pursuit of access to justice in the country.
Making in-roads in Liberia: Reflections from Monrovia
Teresa Mugadza, IDLO’s Country Director for Liberia. When I took up post in Monrovia last summer, what struck me most was that I found a committed and cooperative judiciary, but one handicapped by a lack of resources. Often, people erroneously think that Liberia has no legal framework, but that is not true.
South African judges support peers in Liberia
Rape is the second most commonly reported serious crime in Liberia, yet many survivors fail to get justice.
Crucial forensic training conducted in Liberia
In a country where in 2013, rape and domestic violence were reported as accounting for over 70 per cent of all serious reported crimes, IDLO has been providing crucial support in forensic training.
In Liberia, the WHO estimates that between 61 and 77% of women and girls were raped during the civil war, and gender-based violence continues to be prevalent.
Launch of Fund for Liberian female police officers
PRESS RELEASE - LAUNCH OF LIBERIA NATIONAL POLICE PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT FUND CLASS OF 2016/17
Call for sub-project concept notes
Promoting increased accountability for sexual and gender-based violence in Liberia.
Liberia: Prosecuting gender violence crimes
More than a decade after the civil war in Liberia ended, sexual violence remains rife.
Promoting Accountability for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Liberia
Under the Liberia SGBV program launched in January 2016, IDLO will work with the judiciary to enhance the efficiency, transparency and accountability of Criminal Court “E” in Montserrado, the special court designated to deal exclusively with sexual offenses established in 2008, and improve access to justice and protection mechanisms for victims of SGBV.
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Key Initiatives
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In the post-conflict transition, significant steps have been taken to combat sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) in Liberia. The Government of Liberia established a policy and legal framework that includes the Rape Law (2006), a National Gender Policy (2017), and a National Plan of Action for the Prevention and Management of Gender-Based Violence in Liberia. However, in 2017, over 1100 SGBV cases have been reported in Montserrado County alone, representing only a small proportion of the violations that occur. Furthermore, the number of cases that have progressed to court remains low. -
In Liberia, the most prevalent form of trafficking in persons involves women and children being trafficked from rural to urban areas, with family members usually acting as independent traffickers. The National Taskforce on Trafficking in Persons has developed a five-year National Action Plan (2019 – 2023), with IDLO support, which shows the commitment and political will of the Liberian government to combat trafficking in persons. -
Over a decade has passed since the end of conflict in Liberia, but incidence of sexual and gender-based violence has not diminished. Numerous studies reveal an extremely high prevalence of sexual and gender-based violence. According to an IDLO study, in 2015 1396 cases were reported to the Montserrado five one-stop clinics alone. Among those cases, 267 were reported to the Women’s and Children’s Protection Section within the Liberia National Police, 119 received an indictment, while only 3 cases went through to trial. -
Promoting increased accountability for sexual and gender-based violence in Liberia. -
Under the Liberia SGBV program launched in January 2016, IDLO will work with the judiciary to enhance the efficiency, transparency and accountability of Criminal Court “E” in Montserrado, the special court designated to deal exclusively with sexual offenses established in 2008, and improve access to justice and protection mechanisms for victims of SGBV.
