Monrovia, Liberia – Several Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have concluded a three-day consultative dialogue aimed at developing a unified list of demands from the Feminist Alliance to intensify the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in the Mano River region.
The dialogue, held from Wednesday, July 10 to Friday, July 12, 2024, was themed “Concerted Actions for Zero Tolerance Against SGBV in the Mano River Region.”
Madam Kou Amelia Dahn, Program Coordinator of the Rising Youth Mentorship Initiative, provided background on the workshop.
She stated that the gathering was intended to develop joint advocacy messages based on budget analysis outcomes to be implemented at the national level.
Speaking to reporters at the end of the workshop, Fenny Taylor-Diggs, Project Manager and Advocacy Lead of BMZ Regional Medica Liberia, emphasized the need for collaboration in combating SGBV in the Mano River region.
Madam Diggs highlighted that the project aims to incorporate the rights, needs, and perspectives of women and girls affected by SGBV into societal, institutional, and political efforts at both national and regional levels.
“This comprehensive approach aims to reduce tolerance for SGBV and enhance survivor-centered, stress, and trauma-sensitive support,” said Taylor-Diggs. She noted that Liberia and Sierra Leone are collaborating on the project due to their historical similarities, including experiences of war and SGBV, and believe that their concerted efforts will help reduce SGBV in the region.
“Our intent is to ensure a massive reduction in SGBV cases in the region, if not a total end. That’s why we have come together to derive different demands and align messages,” emphasized Taylor-Diggs.
She further stated that the strength in united voices would help CSOs bring an end to SGBV in the region, acknowledging support from Medica Modiale, a German humanitarian organization.
Taylor-Diggs also disclosed a significant increase in the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection’s budget by four million United States dollars (US$4m), expressing hope that this increase will positively impact the fight against SGBV.
Madam Hannah Fatmata Yambasu, Executive Director of Women Against Violence and Exploitation in Society (WAVES), Sierra Leone, highlighted the increase in reported SGBV cases in the Mano River region, calling for concerted action to address the issue. She stressed that the gathering would provide a roadmap through budget analysis on how advocates can engage governments and stakeholders to tackle SGBV.
Yambasu added that the project would also extend its advocacy to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the regional organization in West Africa.
She revealed that Sierra Leone allocated twelve percent of its budget to the Gender Ministry in 2012, but this has since dropped to three percent, impeding the fight against SGBV.
“The dramatic increase in SGBV cases in the region over the years requires intervention from ECOWAS and other sub-regional organizations to complement the efforts of CSOs,” Yambasu asserted.
The workshop brought together 22 participants from six BMZ implementing partner organizations in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
These organizations include Rising Youth Mentorship Initiative (RYMI), Medica Liberia (mL), Aiding Disadvantaged and Traumatized Women and Girls (ADWANGA), Women Against Violence and Exploitation in Society (WAVES), Girl2Girl Empowerment Movement (G2G), and Choices and Voices Foundation for Women and Girls (CVF).
The Mano River Region, comprising Liberia, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Côte d’Ivoire, has long struggled with pervasive SGBV, deeply rooted in cultural, economic, and political factors.
This violence has had devastating impacts on communities and hindered development. In recent years, regional governments, CSOs, and international partners have intensified collaborative efforts to combat this pressing issue.
The joint efforts to combat SGBV in the Mano River Region reflect a growing recognition of the need for collaborative approaches to tackle deeply entrenched issues.
By fostering solidarity and commitment among all stakeholders, the region moves closer to achieving a society where every individual can live free from violence and discrimination.
Continued vigilance and cooperation will be crucial in realizing this vision for the future.
By: Anthony Q. Jiffan, Jr./ Contributor
