Outcome LBR_D_3.2

By 2024, the most vulnerable and excluded groups have improved quality of life with rights-based, gender sensitive ,inclusive, equitable access and utilization of essential social services in an environment free of discrimination and violence including in humanitarian situations.

Further to awareness activities conducted by UN Women, CSO partners, and grassroots level grantees in communities of five counties (Lofa, Nimba, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh and Montserrado counties), CSO tracking and reported cases of VAWG led to an increase in the number of survivors who sough essential services. According to the below table, a total of 68 SGBV cases were tracked and reported by CSOs, including 37 rape cases, one sodomy case, 21 domestic violence/ physical assault cases 8 cases of persistent non-support, and one child trafficking case. Nevertheless, 40 of these cases (34 rape, 1 sodomy, 4 domestic violence/ physical assault, 1 persistent non-support) have been sent to court awaiting trial; three (3) alleged perpetrators of persistent non-support and three (3) domestic violence/ assault are on the run from police arrest, and two (2) rape accused persons have been released on bill. Moreover, 19 cases which include 14 domestic violence/ physical assaults, four (4) persistent non-support, and one (1) trafficking have been resolved in the interest of all parties, as one rape case was tried and the perpetrator found guilty and sentenced to five (5) years of imprisonment in Voinjama. For the lone trafficking case, a young girl was resettled with her family back in Sierra Leone with support from the Montserrado CSOs SGBV Secretariat. It was reported that survivors from the 37 rape cases are all alive and stable with the exception of one (1) who is undergoing serious medical attention in Monrovia. SGBV training and awareness activities had reached 5,900 community members. 800 former practitioners of FGM from 11 counties have abandoned the practice and embraced alternative sources of income (including agriculture, livestock, VSLA skills) and alternative rites of passage Program for the Initiation of girls into womanhood without the FGM component. 270 of these women benefitted from a training of trainers (TOT) in VSLA. The training aimed at improving financial and business development skills of participants and support them with a post-training start up micro-grant of US$320 per country to kick start the savings and loans process. VSLA groups were also provided with 32 VSLA toolkits (one kit per group), each comprising a metal box, two top security locks, a calculator, a ledger, 25 pass books and a counting rubber bowl. VSLA groups have started a processes for legal registration and eight of these VSLAs have started the digitalization process. Each VSL has received technical support to prepare Articles of Incorporation which will be used for business registration upon completing the notarization process. Additional 110 female traditional practitioners participated in a training otrainers (TOT) in Climate Smart Agriculture in three counties bringing together 10 participants from each of the 11 target counties. The 110 participants to TOTs were assigned the task to trickle down the training to the 800 women former practitioners of FGM who have already started engaging in farming activities. The training was tailored to the needs identified in a baseline assessment undertaken to understand the existing knowledge and practices of participants regarding agriculture and climate-related issues. Participants were encouraged to share their experiences, challenges, and success stories. All these trainings were delivered in close collaboration with the National Council of Chief and elders of Liberia, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and agronomists from the Center for Agriculture Research Institute (CARI). At the end of the training, participants to the project from the 11 counties were provided with agricultural inputs, assorted agriculture tools or equipment, and seedlings for 22 farms (2 farms per county. Materials distributed to women farmers included cutlasses, hoes, shovels, rakes, water pump machines, fertilizers, cassava grinders, packing and labelling machines and accessories, etc. Farmers were also supported with complementary livestock of choice including chicken, goats, sheep, pigs and fish. Beneficiaries of the project have also increased access to alternative income and market opportunities to replace FGM as a source of income. A three days trade fair was organized and took place in Gbarnga City, Bong County where Muslim Women Zoes and other Female Zoes from Bong showcased the products of their hands since quitting the practice of FGM. The trade fair was organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture, Ministry of Gender, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs the National Council Chief Elders of Liberia and Liberia Crusaders for Peace. During this trade fair, supported female zoes were able to show case their new source of income. The beneficiaries were able to show case tidying, sawa milk, African slippers, African lappers, African bags, Soap, locally made air freshener, palm oil, pumpkin, honey, plantain, African photo frame, and many others. Goods were also exhibited and sold at the One UN building during an event to commemorate the role of women’s human rights defenders’ day during the 16 Days of Activism celebrated under the theme “Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls”.

By 2024, the most vulnerable and excluded groups have improved quality of life with rights-based, gender sensitive ,inclusive, equitable access and utilization of essential social services in an environment free of discrimination and violence including in humanitarian situations.

There has been an increased knowledge as the result of the 225 awareness raising activities conducted for 11,247 community members (4,491 women, 5,592 men, 684 girls and 480 boys) and 5 male networks in the 5 Spotlight Counties on social behavior change to address VAW, SGBV, HPs, SRHRs and the acceptance of marginalized groups including LGBTIQs, PLWHIV, the physically challenged to transform social norms, attitudes, and behaviors to the most vulnerable and excluded groups

By 2024, the most vulnerable and excluded groups have improved quality of life with rights-based, gender sensitive ,inclusive, equitable access and utilization of essential social services in an environment free of discrimination and violence including in humanitarian situations.

Efforts were increased to ensure rights-based, gender inclusive and equitable access and utilization of essential services by women from the most vulnerable and excluded groups. 58 organizations representing groups facing multiple and intersecting forms of violence and discrimination were identified in a CSO mapping exercise conducted across five Spotlight counties. These categories include LGBTIQ persons, people with HIV/AIDs, persons with vision impairment, hearing impairment, physical disability, old persons, disadvantaged youth, and persons affected by leprosy. 50 out of the 58 organizations are located in Montserrado county, whereas Grand Gedeh and Nimba reorded only 1 organization each. 26 out of the 50 organizations represent people with physical disabilities. The mapping of these organizations is expected to inform service providers to implement targeted programmes and the Spotlight Initiative grant programme to target the most vulnerable populations.

By 2024, the most vulnerable and excluded groups have improved quality of life with rights-based, gender sensitive ,inclusive, equitable access and utilization of essential social services in an environment free of discrimination and violence including in humanitarian situations.

In 2024, Liberia marked a significant milestone in advancing its national development priorities by intensifying efforts to combat violence against women and girls, with a strong focus on eradicating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Five (5) counties—Grand Cape Mount, Bong, Nimba, Montserrado, and Lofa—took a historic step by officially declaring an end to FGM practices within their jurisdictions. This progress has directly impacted the lives of over 800 former traditional FGM practitioners, who are now benefiting from alternative economic livelihood programs. Supported by the European Union, the United Nations, and the Government of Liberia under the Spotlight Initiative, these programs include climate-smart agriculture, business development, and vocational training, providing sustainable alternatives to harmful practices. To build on this transformative momentum, UN Women handed over four (4) vocational and heritage centers to the Government of Liberia. These centers are serving as hubs for economic empowerment, cultural exchange, and skill development, fostering sustainable livelihoods for former practitioners and strengthening social cohesion within communities. Through these targeted initiatives, coupled with community engagement and sustained advocacy, UN Women has played a pivotal role in driving Liberia’s progress toward eliminating harmful practices and achieving gender equality. For more information, please see: https://liberia.un.org/en/260782-significant-progress-fight-against-female-genital-mutilation-liberia https://africa.unwomen.org/en/stories/press-release/2024/02/liberia-joins-global-community-to-commemorate-the-international-day-of-zero-tolerance-for-female-genital-mutilation-fgm https://unsdg.un.org/latest/stories/liberias-women-abandon-female-genital-mutilation-embrace-better-livelihoods