Tubmanburg, Bomi County – The Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) has initiated a vital advocacy campaign aimed at promoting gender mainstreaming within the policies and procedures of various concessions across Liberia. This initiative seeks to ensure the comprehensive protection and advancement of women’s rights in the workplace.
During a recent workshop held in Tubmanburg, Bomi County, AFELL President Attorney Philomena T. Williams emphasized the urgent need for increased female employment in the concessions sector. She stressed the importance of creating an enabling environment where women can thrive in their professional careers. “For this vision to materialize, concession management must be intentional in adopting policies that incorporate a gender perspective throughout their operations,” Atty. Williams stated.
The workshop, which brought together the workforce and management of the Western Cluster Management, featured training sessions on the United Nations Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights, as well as discussions on gender-based violence, particularly in the workplace. Participants were educated on the necessity for gender-sensitive regulations and policies within concession operations.
Cllr. Bowoulo Taylor Kelley, AFELL’s Vice President, addressed the participants on the fundamental obligations of the state to respect, protect, and fulfill human rights and fundamental freedoms. She highlighted the critical role of business enterprises as specialized entities that must comply with relevant laws and uphold human rights, emphasizing the need for effective remedies when rights are breached.
Cllr. Evelyn Lah Gongloe also contributed to the discussions, focusing on sexual and gender-based violence in the workplace. She provided insights on how to identify such violations and the appropriate referral pathways for reporting them.
The ongoing training sessions are part of a broader project titled “Enhancing Peace and Social Cohesion Through the Promotion of Equitable Access to and the Use of Land for Rural Women in Conflict-Prone Communities and Concession Areas.” This initiative is supported by UN Women and the United Nations Peace Building Fund, and it encompasses engagement with concession companies in four counties: Bomi, Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount, and Nimba.
The recent training in Bomi County attracted over 100 workers, many of whom are employed through various entities contracted by the Western Cluster Management. The participants took this opportunity to urge management to enhance their incentives, benefits, and labor standards within the concessions.
In response to the workers’ concerns, Mr. Devaraj, Head of Operations for Western Cluster Liberia, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to fostering equal participation of women in the workforce. He pledged to implement policies that protect women’s rights in the concession environment and expressed a willingness to collaborate with AFELL to promote peaceful coexistence between the workforce and local communities.
As AFELL continues its advocacy efforts, the organization remains dedicated to ensuring that women’s rights are prioritized in all sectors, particularly within the concessions that play a significant role in Liberia’s economy.
