Established in 2004, SOAWR is a coalition of over seventy civil society organizations working across thirty- three Countries.
Monrovia – The Executive Director of Her Voice Liberia Evangeline Sirleaf has reached the need for more concrete actions for the implementation of the Maputo Protocol.
By: Julius Konton, contributing writer
Speaking to reporters following the opening of a one-day stakeholders dialogue on the Domestication and Implementation of the Maputo Protocol in Liberia Ms. Sirleaf said even though Liberia has made some gains towards the implementation of the Maputo Protocol over the last 21 years but more still needs to be done.
She hailed Liberia as part of the Protocol under political participation for having the First Female President in Africa, Former President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and former Female Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor including the passage of the rape law among others.
However, she pointed out that with such big achievements during this period, women’s political participation overall is not encouraging.
” We need to see more women in key and national decision-making areas and positions “, she emphasized.
The women rights activist stressed that there are several loopholes preventing the full implementation of the protocol from the domestic end that should be given urgent attention.
She named the lack of access to justice for women and girls across the Country, lack of referral pathway which she stated is not 100% functional and the government is struggling to have such addressed.
Others are the increase in maternal mortality rate in Liberia, Trafficking in person and poor health system with women and girls dominantly feeling the pinch among others issues she indicated are discouraging and should be addressed.
Ms. Sirleaf who praised partners for their support to their advocacy and activities towards ensuring that these issues are addressed also commended Civil Society organization for their commitment and willingness shown towards the forward march process.
Speaking about the Solidarity for African Women’s Rights (SOAWR), she said the body remains committed to holding African Union member States Accountable to fulfill their obligations under the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and peoples’ Rights on Rights of women in Africa.
Established in 2004, SOAWR she told reporters, is a coalition of over seventy civil society organizations working across thirty- three Countries.
Among other things, the organization, she noted, works to ensure that the rights of girls and women as articulated in the Protocol to the African Charter on the Rights of Women in Africa (Protocol) are prioritized by policymakers on the continent of Africa.
“We believe that the full implementation of the Maputo Protocol is key to addressing the patriarchal and sexist character of institutions, norms and governing values in order to realize full equality and end discrimination against women and girls thus realizing full equality”, she added.
According to”SOAWR”, Solidarity is a means of building an effective and transformative movement for change in Africa.
” We therefore envision “SOAWR” as a collective force for action for women’s freedom and rights and we shall act together and support the struggle and initiatives of women Rights champions and organizations across the continent and with vertical and horizontal partners of women’s rights across the world”, she noted.
Meanwhile, the one-day interactive dialogue session including the 20th celebrations of SOAWR which brought together Civil Society actors, deliberated on key issues with focus on seeing the need to domesticate the Protocol and also ended with several recommendations to be presented to the continental body soon for concrete actions.
