Civil Society Group Urges Government And Partners
PHOTO: Members of the CS NRG
By Alfred Kollie, alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
The National Civil Society National Reference Group on Sexual Gender Based Violence (CS NRG) wants partners and the government to prioritize and increase support for male mental health programs, and masculinity in schools to reduce SGBV in Liberia.
According to the group, support for male mental health programs at workplaces and communities will help to further assist and contribute toward the reduction of SGBV and other issues in Liberia.
The CS NRG’s key duty is to play an advisory, advocate, and monitor the implementation of Spotlight initiative implementations of the Judiciary.
The CS NRG urged that consideration be given in future programs of support toward women and children protection at the Liberia national police in counties and that more females be engaged and encouraged to avoid reverting to compromising of SGBV case.
They also called for an increase in logistical and financial support to be prioritized in future programs for law enforcement bodies and prosecuting lawyers to ensure speedily and timely litigation of SGBV.
Speaking at a news conference in Monrovia Thursday, November 22, 2023, the group Chair, Tamba Johnson recommended to partners and government to have the National Civil Society National Reference Group be launched as a recognized legitimate structure, in adherence to the global alliance, supported and considered as a valuable partner to the One UN under the UN Women, and Development partners and ensure the body continues roles as advisory, advocate, and monitoring.
According to Mr. Johnson, to have a developed, functioning, and stable society, gender equality or equity, social inclusion, accountability, and transparency are basic fundamental human rights of all persons irrespective of their sexual orientation, creeds, and status in society.
“Liberia is one of eight countries of the world implementing the Spotlight Imitative activities over the past four years which has made significant millstones or gains toward the fight for gender inclusion, institutional strengthening, litigations, SGBV response, data collection, and analysis, including Harmful Practices of FGM in Liberia, and exclusion of women and girls voices at key decision-making space, which includes Women Movement, the feminist movement, rural women organizations, and marginalized groups have recognition and access to inclusion at decision-making processes as direct access to grants at local levels inclusion perceptions transformation of men and boys on gender roles and responsibilities,” he explained.
At the same time, Mr. Johnson has called for sustained mentorship support to be provided to Civil Society Organizations and Community Based Organizations through experienced local Organizations, for transparency, accountability, and deliverables.
“Fellow Liberians, with all of these giants made, can we say that we are there? The answer is NO! Though we have not reached our peak, we can safely say that “We are not where we were four years ago as a country toward gender equality. We have made some level of improvement. Thanks to all for this teamwork work,’’ he noted.
According to CS NRG, Liberians, mostly men and boys are now knowledgeable of and receptive to the importance of gender equality and male roles in protecting and creating conducive spaces and environment for women and girls to have their voices and representation felt and participation made at all levels.
The group noted that spotlight initiative has ensured civil society and government coexistence by working together for the well-functioning in the best interest of all Liberians mostly women and girls.
‘’More besides, there is now a considerable increment of men and boys masculinity mentorship that is hugely contributing to more He For She campaigners (men more supportive of women/girls), more reported cases of SGBV and other abuses at community and county levels, amongst other gains, clearly demonstrate that we are gradually reaching a place where gender inclusion will be a reality,’’ Mr. Johnson said.
Based on the Spotlight Initiative program performance, Mr. Johnson has said that Liberia has been considered one of the best-performing Countries under the Spotlight Initiative implements countries maintain that they are of the convention that, the recognition, visibilities, and tractability of impacts in Liberia would not have been possible without the collective and resilient efforts and commitment of all of us.
According to the Civil Society National Reference Group, Human Rights violations mainly violence against women, girls, and marginalized groups, cut across all countries and cultures.
The group said that sustained patriarchal systems and emerging societal misconceptions and beliefs are grave contributing elements undermining and preventing women, girls, and other underprivileged groups’ rights to inclusion into holistic spaces of decision making and participation in all spheres of life.