Liberia
Liberia
Women in Liberia were powerful non-violent activists during the years of the the Second Liberian Civil War (1999-2003), and have led the efforts to rebuild their country through empowering women to participate in politics and peace processes.
Under the presidency of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first democratically elected female head of state in Africa, Liberia has developed a National Action Plan on the implementation of Resolution 1325 (2000), and began a constitutional review process in 2015 that many hoped would outlaw discrimination against women.
However, traditional and cultural practices perpetuate gender inequality through today, exacerbated by the de-prioritization of the gender equality agenda following the Ebola epidemic. Women community leaders were instrumental in stopping the spread of the Ebola virus in 2014, during which women paid a particularly high price— three in four Ebola deaths were women, due to their traditional roles of caregivers (Liberian Ministry of Health).
Based on the work of NGOWG members and their partners, the NGOWG advocates for the Security Council’s continued support for the United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) in the effort to mainstream the women, peace and security agenda across its entire operation, giving special attention to sexual and gender-based violence.
Current and Past Recommendations to the UN Security Council (Monthly Action Points)
Liberia (September 2010)
The UN mission in Liberia (UNMIL) should have a clearer focus and wider reach on women, peace and security issues. In its mandate renewal, entry points for the Council include:
- Taking concrete steps, with the Liberian government, to prevent and reduce election-related gender-based violence prior to and post the 2011 Liberian election, including ensuring the security of women candidates during the 2011 campaigning in light of the possibility of gender-based intimidation of candidates and activists, a particular problem in Lofa county and the southeast. UNMIL must also be be prepared for possible post election violence, particularly gender-based violence.
- Broaden – with resources – UNMIL’s objective of strengthening civil society organizations as a link between individuals and state institutions to the entire country, rather than focusing primarily on a capital-based group of Liberian NGOs.
The UN mission in Liberia (UNMIL) should have a clearer focus and wider reach on women, peace and security issues. In its mandate renewal, entry points for the Council include:
- Taking concrete steps, with the Liberian government, to prevent and reduce election-related gender-based violence prior to and post the 2011 Liberian election, including ensuring the security of women candidates during the 2011 campaigning in light of the possibility of gender-based intimidation of candidates and activists, a particular problem in Lofa county and the southeast. UNMIL must also be be prepared for possible post election violence, particularly gender-based violence.
- Broaden – with resources – UNMIL’s objective of strengthening civil society organizations as a link between individuals and state institutions to the entire country, rather than focusing primarily on a capital-based group of Liberian NGOs.
Relevant Resources
