The Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) has convened a coordination meeting of women-led civil society organizations (CSOs) working on accountability and transparency to strengthen advocacy for the establishment and effective functioning of the War and Economic Crimes Court and the National Anti-Corruption Court.
The meeting brought together women leaders, advocates, and accountability actors to engage with the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (OWECC-L) on progress made so far and to generate practical recommendations on how civil society-particularly women’s organizations-can support the justice process moving forward.
Speaking at the meeting, Madam Esther S. D. Yango, Executive Director of WONGOSOL, emphasized that the gathering was convened to ensure women’s voices are not only heard but meaningfully integrated into the justice architecture.
“This meeting was organized to create a platform for women CSOs to engage directly with OWECC and make concrete recommendations on how civil society can support the Anti-Corruption Court and the War and Economic Crimes Court as they move forward,” Madam Yango said.
“Women, survivors, and grassroots communities must be part of shaping this process if justice is to be credible, inclusive, and sustainable.”
She further encouraged CSOs to remain engaged, proactive, and vocal in holding institutions accountable while also offering constructive support.
Providing key updates, Dr. Cllr. Jallah Barbu, Executive Director of OWECC-L, outlined progress made by the Office, including the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) with relevant institutions and the demarcation of Liberia into five regions, each comprising three counties, aimed at decentralizing the work of the Office.
“The Court will not prosecute everyone. Our focus is on those most responsible, and we are working carefully to separate cases to ensure fairness and justice,” Cllr. Barbu explained.
He added that the Office is strengthening anti-corruption efforts, particularly in asset seizure, retrieval, and recovery, and continues to collaborate with institutions such as the Liberia Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC).
Cllr. Barbu also highlighted efforts to establish an Independent Investigative Unit, noting that neutral citizens will be recruited as investigators and subjected to background checks to ensure they were not involved in the civil war.
“Investigations must be credible, professional, and sensitive. That is why we are revising our recruitment processes, developing training modules, and working with technical partners, including UNDP,” he said.
During the meeting, women CSOs recommended strengthening the justice process by ensuring effective witness protection and testimony, and by training investigators in human rights–based and trauma-sensitive approaches to prevent further harm to victims.
They emphasized the need for women’s leadership and mandatory representation, including the establishment of a Gender Desk to support gender mainstreaming and survivor participation.
The CSO representatives also called for the establishment of a public hotline or call center, increased public awareness of the TRC report and the role of OWECC, expanded grassroots outreach led by CSOs, clear CSO focal points for coordination, and an enabling environment that allows CSOs to monitor and constructively critique the work of the Court.
They stressed that sustained collaboration between state institutions and civil society-especially women-led organizations-will is critical to building public trust and advancing justice.
WONGOSOL reaffirmed its commitment to co-chairing the National Justice Coordinating Committee and to continuing nationwide advocacy to ensure Liberia’s pursuit of justice is inclusive, transparent, and responsive to the needs of women and survivors.
