Outcome LBR_D_4.2

By 2024, women, girls, men and boys in Liberia experience more sustained peace, inclusive and sustainable growth and development through strengthened formal and informal institutions providing access to effective and equitable justice and security services; promoting and protecting human rights; and strengthening social cohesion and reconciliation.

In 2023, the Government of Liberia continued its efforts towards the achievement of a gender-sensitive service delivery including the provision of equitable and effective justice and security services. As a result, a Gender Policy and a five-year Implementation Plan for the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation (BCR) at the Ministry of Justice was developed. This policy was validated by a wide range of stakeholders including Civil Society, women's rights advocates, and experts from the Ministry of Gender Children, and Social Protection and provides the framework for mainstreaming gender in the BCR. This was done with the technical and financial support of UN Women. The High Command of the Armed Forces of Liberia has revoked its policy that barred unmarried female soldiers from getting pregnant. This action is a result of continuous advocacy and engagement of the Gender and Social Inclusion Department (GSID) of the force relying on the Gender Policy as a reference. This latest move demonstrates the enhanced capacity of the Department to ensure full implementation of the policy. Meanwhile, the GSID continues to roll out awareness sessions amongst the ranks and files of the Force on the procedures for reporting harassment.

By 2024, women, girls, men and boys in Liberia experience more sustained peace, inclusive and sustainable growth and development through strengthened formal and informal institutions providing access to effective and equitable justice and security services; promoting and protecting human rights; and strengthening social cohesion and reconciliation.

Under the lead of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Government continued its efforts towards the achievement of a gender-sensitive service delivery including the provision of equitable and effective justice and security services. This is evident by the creation of Gender and Social Protection Units in security institutions, i.e. the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Fire Service, the Ministry of Defense. The Government has also demonstrated its commitment to the full implementation of the Second Phase of the National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security (NAP WPS) by providing continuous support to the various implementation structures such as the National Steering Committee, the Technical Working Group, the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit and County Task Forces through capacity building and mentoring. In further demonstration of its commitment to gender and women’s rights, the Government increased its allocation in the national budget from USD 200,000 to USD 380,000 and further increased the line Ministries piloting the enhancement of gender equality and elimination of violence against women and sexual reproductive health from six to nine. This is a significant step towards institutionalizing gender responsive budgeting across government. It is expected that the number of ministries as well as the amount will further increase in the next budget year as well.

By 2024, women, girls, men and boys in Liberia experience more sustained peace, inclusive and sustainable growth and development through strengthened formal and informal institutions providing access to effective and equitable justice and security services; promoting and protecting human rights; and strengthening social cohesion and reconciliation.

In 2024, women, girls, men, and boys in Liberia experienced more sustained peace, inclusive and sustainable growth, and development. Women and girls in Liberia have become more visible and increasingly included in decision-making processes, including peacebuilding initiatives, thanks to their enhanced knowledge and capacities, thereby contributing to this outcome. Examples include the 2024 appointments of women in the prominent roles of Liberia National Police (LNP) spokesperson and the Minister of National Defence. Women have taken up key leadership roles in strategic land dispute resolution structures, such as the Community Land Management and Development Committees and Multi-stakeholder Platforms. Through these structures, supported by UN Women, women and girls are actively participating in all decision-making processes regarding land ownership and use. Furthermore, the security and justice sectors have continued to mainstream gender in their operations. Gender and social inclusion units have been established in the Ministry of Justice, Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitation, Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), Liberia National Police, and Liberia National Fire and Rescue Service, with gender policies and implementation plans developed. In 2025, the AFL will receive funding from the Elsie Initiative Fund, with the aim to increase the number of female uniformed personnel, including in command positions, through national recruitment exercises targeting young women on secondary and tertiary school campuses. The proposal also includes plans for nationwide awareness campaigns to challenge societal biases about women in the military and promote military careers as viable and rewarding options for women. The project further focuses on strengthening the AFL’s Gender and Social Inclusion Department to address issues such as sexual harassment and exploitation and to revise key policies related to recruitment, retention, whistleblowing, sexual abuse, and harassment.

By 2024, women, girls, men and boys in Liberia experience more sustained peace, inclusive and sustainable growth and development through strengthened formal and informal institutions providing access to effective and equitable justice and security services; promoting and protecting human rights; and strengthening social cohesion and reconciliation.

Under the lead of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Government continued its efforts towards the achievement of a gender-sensitive service delivery including the provision of equitable and effective justice and security services. This is evident by the creation of Gender and Social Protection Units in security institutions, i.e. the Ministry of Justice and the Liberia National Fire Service, the Ministry of Defense. The Government has also demonstrated its commitment to the full implementation of the Second Phase of the National Action Plan on Women Peace and Security (NAP WPS) by providing continuous support to the various implementation structures such as the National Steering Committee, the Technical Working Group, the Monitoring and Evaluation Unit and County Task Forces through capacity building and mentoring. In further demonstration of its commitment to gender and women’s rights, the Government increased its allocation in the national budget from USD 200,000 to USD 380,000 and further increased the line Ministries piloting the enhancement of gender equality and elimination of violence against women and sexual reproductive health from six to nine. This is a significant step towards institutionalizing gender responsive budgeting across government. It is expected that the number of ministries as well as the amount will further increase in the next budget year as well.