Context

After prolonged periods of political turmoil and civil unrest in Liberia, many rural communities are now struggling to bring back stability based on social reintegration, economic development and decentralization. The challenges faced are tremendous, which are notable in the rural areas. The most vulnerable in these post conflict settings are women and children, the disabled and the elderly, all of whom experience challenges in maintaining their health and welfare, establishing livelihoods and contributing to the provision of their own shelter. Many post war households are headed by single women and youths, some of whom support large families.

Unfortunately, sexual abuse, other forms of exploitation and gender-based violence are widely prevalent in post war Liberia. Women and young girls, though not exclusively, are particularly vulnerable and targeted. Abuse and exploitation are exacerbated in rural communities of returns where are no active civil administration and improve court systems exist. This is further compounded by extreme poverty and ignorant.

The Intervention:

With Virginia Gildersleeve International Fund, VOSIEDA collaborated with traditional leaders, women organizations, local authorities and members of the newly trained Liberian National Police, VOSIEDA will provide training for fifty 50 women community leaders and human rights activists from ten local women organizations, village courts, traditional women groups and members of Liberia’s newly trained police in the district to understand the new law, protect women rights and form a ‘Local Women Right Defense Network’ that would enhance the implementation of existing laws at the local level and encourage community participation in fighting violence against women and girls.

The Result

As a result, the network has bolstered prevention responses; addressed the needs of survivors and fostered women’s economic independence through training and awareness raising about existing mechanisms to protect women from violence. This has significantly improved the safety and livelihoods of war-affected women and girls including war-related widows, women with war-related disabilities, indigenous women, HIV positive women, orphans, underage girls etc.

 Key facts

Sector: Governance and Social Development
Domain: Women’s rights
Benefiting zone: Liberia
Nature:  Grant
Duration: 2008-2009
Status: Completed