A delegation of lawyers from the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL), led by Vice President Cllr. Bowuolo Taylor Kelley has returned home after an impactful three-day conference in Nairobi, Kenya. The event, titled “Waging Justice for Women Fellowship,” was organized by the Cooney Foundation for Justice, a key partner of AFELL
The conference focused on enhancing the skills of female lawyers in critical areas such as trauma-informed case management, strategic litigation, fundraising, and media engagement for human rights advocacy. Over thirty women lawyers from ten African countries participated, sharing insights and strategies for advancing women’s rights across the continent.
A highlight of the conference was a panel discussion on the status of strategic litigation in Africa. Cllr. Kelley represented Liberia, addressing the ongoing battle against female genital mutilation (FGM) within the country’s dual-legal system of civil and customary laws. She emphasized the absence of legislation specifically criminalizing FGM, which complicates efforts to hold perpetrators accountable.
Cllr. Kelley pointed out that while FGM is not explicitly criminalized in Liberia’s Penal Code, related provisions exist that could be applied in certain cases. She referenced sections addressing aggravated assault, kidnapping, and reckless endangerment, which may offer some legal recourse.
In 2018, former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf issued Executive Order 92 to protect girls under 18 from FGM, yet Cllr. Kelley lamented that despite several moratoriums, the practice persists, often in the presence of local authorities. She urged the government to prioritize the enactment and enforcement of an anti-FGM law as part of a broader commitment to combat gender-based violence.
FGM is internationally recognized as a violation of human rights, infringing on the rights to health, security, and freedom from torture.
In addition to the training sessions, participants had the opportunity to engage with prominent figures such as Martha Koome, Chief Justice of Kenya, and Advocate Martha Karua, a notable politician and former Vice-Presidential candidate.
As Liberia is a signatory to several international human rights treaties, Cllr. Kelley stressed the government’s obligation to protect and promote the rights of its citizens.
In related news, Atty. Christine Tenneh Dono, a member of AFELL, received a certificate of completion for the 2023/2024 Waging Justice for Women Fellowship Program. Atty. Peter J. Kanneh was also inducted as the Legal Fellow for the 2025 program, marking a new chapter in Liberia’s commitment to advancing women’s rights.
