-Some Lawmakers optimistic it will be passed this Thursday
By Mark N. Mengonfia-mmenginfia@gmail.com
The Domestic Violence Bill, which was introduced to the Liberian Legislature about five years ago, is poised to be passed this Thursday, some Lawmakers are optimistic.
The instrument was introduced to the Liberian legislature during the regime of Africa and Liberia’s first elected female President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. But it has since suffered series of setbacks due to some sticky issue which has to do with Female Genital Mutilation (FGM).
But Tuesday, June 2, 2019 was a different kind of session observed in years.
The July 2nd regular session of the House of Representatives was very different from how sessions of that body are held.
Before the start of the session which was earlier awaited by women groups, Civil Society Organizations, the Speaker of the 54th Legislature, Dr. Bhofal Chambers informed his colleagues that they (Lawmakers) should allow those different groupings in their decision as they deliberate on the Domestic Violence Act.
During the deliberation, the Chairpersons on the Houses Committees on Judiciary, Good Governance and Gender Equity Children & Social Protection in persons of Cllr. Fonati Koffa of Grand Kru, Julie Wiah of Lofa and Larry Yanquoi Nimba recommended to their colleagues to see reason to pass the instrument in its final form.
The committee chairpersons in their report gave a background of the instrument that in 2014, the first attempt or series of attempts to upgrade Liberian domestic violence law as contained in Chapter 16 of the penal Code were initiated.
They informed their colleagues that none of the early versions of the instrument was successful, because paramount to the issue of violence against women in Liberia was what is known as FGM, or female Genital Mutilation practice that has been universally recognized as violence against women and inhuman act.
But it still forms part of a traditional rite of passage in Liberia and many other countries.
The Koffa, Wiah, and Yanquoi committees remaindered their colleagues that on May 5, 2019, the Act was introduced on the flood of the House of Representatives by Rivercess County Representative Rosana GDH Schaack and referred to The Joint Committees.
The committee members told their colleagues that the instrument is not only women and children, but for both sexes.
According to them, passing the instrument will be one of the best things done in the history of Liberia as it will help women, children, and men to be treated rightly according to laws.
What constitutes domestic violence according to the proposed bill are but not limited to act of physical or sexual violence, patterns causing emotional, verbal, or psychological abuse as certified by a psychologist, psychiatrist, or behavioral specialist licensed to practice in the Republic of Liberia, after examination of the victim.
Other acts that constitute domestic violence, according to the proposed Act, also include threats of commit or committing acts constituting economic abuse, deliberate prevention from engaging in any legitimate profession, occupation, business in common.
These and other issues raised in the instrument made some members of the House of Representatives request their colleagues to put a hold to the passage of the instrument until they shall have read it to make informed decision this Thursday.
The deliberation was witnessed by the Embassy of the United States of America accredited near Liberia.
Ambassador Christine Elder and other national and international bodies patiently waited and observed how members of the House of Representatives preceded with the hearing of the Bill.
After a motion for reconsideration from Montserrado County District #8 lawmaker, Acarious Moses Gray was tested, members of that body agreed that since they (Lawmakers) have the proposed law with them, it was important for them to do the last deliberations on Thursday for its possible passage.