-In Liberia
The Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) hosted a pivotal dialogue session on March 5, 2025, bringing together 25 leaders from various women’s organizations within its network. The session focused on strategic approaches to engage the national government for the full implementation of the Maputo Protocol, a landmark human rights instrument aimed at promoting and protecting women’s rights across Africa.
The meeting served as an essential platform for leaders to discuss advocacy strategies and raise awareness about the importance of the protocol, emphasizing the critical role of government accountability in ensuring its mandates are fulfilled.
Key Discussions Focus on Awareness and Advocacy
The dialogue session began with an urgent call for increased awareness of the Maputo Protocol among local communities. Participants highlighted the gap in public understanding of the protocol’s significance in advancing women’s rights. They explored effective strategies to educate the public, including community meetings, media campaigns, and leveraging social media platforms to spread awareness about the protocol’s provisions.
Engagement with Local Leaders and Lawmakers
The session also emphasized the importance of engaging local leaders and lawmakers in the advocacy process. It was agreed that traditional authorities, community leaders, and local institutions play a crucial role in fostering public support for policy changes. Strategies were discussed to mobilize grassroots movements that would work directly with lawmakers to demand legislative and policy actions that align with the principles of the Maputo Protocol.
Addressing the Need for FGM Legislation
One of the key issues raised during the dialogue was the absence of a law in Liberia explicitly criminalizing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Participants expressed deep concern over the ongoing practice of FGM, particularly in rural areas where bush schools remain active and continue to put girls at risk of this harmful procedure. The lack of legal protection for women and girls remains a serious issue, and the group agreed to intensify advocacy for the passage of a law that would ban FGM in Liberia. The session concluded with a call to action for heightened public awareness campaigns and pressure on lawmakers to address this pressing issue.
Action Points for Future Advocacy
The dialogue session concluded with clear action points to drive forward the implementation of the Maputo Protocol and strengthen women’s rights in Liberia:
1. Launch community-based awareness campaigns to educate the public on the importance of the Maputo Protocol.
2. Engage traditional and local leaders to gather support for the protocol’s full implementation.
3. Mobilize grassroots movements to push for legal and policy reforms, particularly focusing on the passage of an FGM ban.
4. Foster stronger collaboration between women’s organizations to enhance collective advocacy efforts.
Conclusion
The meeting served as a powerful reminder of the crucial role women’s organizations play in advocating for gender equality and justice. With a renewed commitment to action, WONGOSOL and its network organizations plan to continue working together to push for the full implementation of the Maputo Protocol. Moving forward, collaborative efforts will focus on engaging key stakeholders, amplifying advocacy campaigns, and ensuring that legal frameworks are put in place to protect women’s rights and eliminate harmful practices like FGM.
Happy International Women’s Day!
