In a significant effort to improve the documentation and tracking of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) in Liberia, the Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) has donated more than 3,000 medical report books to the Ministry of Gender, Children & Social Protection.
This donation is a crucial part of a larger initiative aimed at strengthening responses to SGBV across the country.
The donation is a key component of the project titled, “Strengthening Collaborations and Responding to GBV, Economic Empowerment & Increasing Representation of Women in Political Leadership at County and National Levels in Liberia.” Supported by Kvinna till Kvinna and funded by SIDA, the project aims to advance collaboration, establish networks to amplify women’s voices, reduce violence, and sustain the socio-economic empowerment of women in Liberia.
This initiative specifically seeks to enhance the monitoring and response services for SGBV, in coordination with national actors, to reduce the prevalence of Gender-Based Violence in Liberia.
As part of this effort, WONGOSOL will jointly monitor and support frontline SGBV actors through existing early warning structures, in collaboration with the Ministry of Justice’s Sex Crime Unit.
The medical report books provided by WONGOSOL are intended for use at one-stop centers and are critical for the documentation of evidence.
These books will offer detailed records of the physical and psychological condition of SGBV survivors, which are essential for legal proceedings. Accurate records can significantly support a survivor’s case in court, helping to bring perpetrators to justice.
The medical report books will ensure that all healthcare providers involved in a survivor’s care have access to consistent and comprehensive information, which is vital for effective treatment and follow-up care.
One-stop centers aim to provide comprehensive care, including medical, legal, and psychosocial services. The report books help integrate these services, ensuring that survivors receive coordinated and holistic support.
The records collected will be valuable for gathering data on the prevalence and nature of SGBV in Liberia. This information can inform policy-making, improve services, and contribute to prevention efforts.
For survivors, having their experiences documented and taken seriously can be empowering. It validates their experiences and can be a crucial step in their healing process.
At the presentation ceremony held on Friday, August 2, 2024, in Monrovia, WONGOSOL Program Manager Willet Salue emphasized the critical role these medical report books play in supporting survivors.
She explained that the books are essential for recording detailed evidence of survivors’ experiences, ensuring they receive the necessary healthcare and support, and helping to strengthen legal cases against perpetrators.
WONGOSOL Board Chairperson, Madam Facia Harris, formally handed over the books, highlighting their importance in assisting health workers at hospitals and clinics in tracking and reporting SGBV incidents.
Atty. Harris reiterated that the donation is part of a broader effort to enhance collaboration, create networks that amplify women’s voices, and sustain efforts to reduce violence and empower women socio-economically.
Receiving the books on behalf of the Ministry of Gender, Children & Social Protection, Deputy Minister Atty. Laura Golakeh expressed her gratitude for the donation, acknowledging the significant gaps in addressing Gender-Based Violence and reaffirming the Ministry’s commitment to closing these gaps.
Atty. Golakeh called for continued collaboration among civil society organizations (CSOs) and other partners to achieve these goals.
Dr. Cynthia Blapooh, SGBV Coordinator at the Ministry of Health, also emphasized the need for proper training for health workers to ensure accurate documentation of SGBV cases.
Dr. Blapooh reminded everyone that SGBV cases should be handled free of charge and warned against any unlawful collection of fees.
This donation represents a critical step in improving the response to SGBV in Liberia, fostering better documentation practices, and providing essential support to survivors in their pursuit of justice.
