Context

Violence against women and girls not only devastates women’s lives and divides communities, but it also undermines development efforts and the building of strong democracies and just, peaceful societies. Despite this, violence against women and girls remain very high in Liberia as the country ranks 177 out of 188 countries on the overall measures used to determine the gender inequality index. Rates of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), harmful practices (HPs), female genital mutilation (FGM), child marriage and teenage pregnancy are all high, while access to sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) is low.

The intervention

With funding from the Canada Fund for Local Initiative, VOSIEDA worked to improved access to justice and support for survivors of violence against women in Central Liberia. The project facilitated the formation of a ‘Women and Girls’ Rights Defense Network’ that enhances implementation of existing laws at the local level and encourage community participation in fighting violence against women. It further reinforce Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Women Rights Groups and advocates to use social accountability mechanisms and strengthen their capacity on advocacy, management, administration, finance, Human Resource, Reporting, including resource mobilization.

The elimination of VAWG cannot be achieved without a strong and empowered civil society and autonomous women’s movement, given the strong role of CSOs and women’s movements and rights advocates in pushing the issue of VAWG onto the national and international agenda as well as being instrumental in driving legislative and policy change.

Result:

Working on several fronts to interrupt this cycle of violence against women in rural Liberia, The project facilitated the formation of a ‘Women and Girls’ Rights Defense Network’ that enhances implementation of existing laws at the local level and encourage community participation in fighting violence against women, particularly in Central Liberia.

Key facts

Sector: Governance and Social Development
Domain: Civic Education and Women Rights
Benefiting zone: Liberia
Nature: Grant
Duration: 2010-2011
Status: completed