ADNews-Monrovia: The President of the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia Atty. Philomena Tugbe William alarmed the increase in domestic violence across the Country.
Speaking during the opening of a day-long workshop for Prosecutors and city Solicitors early this week, Atty. Williams said it is time to bring relief to such an act indicating that the total involvement of city Solicitors and prosecutors in said exercise is key.
By: Julius Konton
“Your presence here today demonstrates your interest in strengthening the rule of law, she told the participants.
According to her, the application and enforcement of the Domestic Violence Act is missing as such it is time for a robust and proactive approach in order to change the dynamics in the supreme interest of their beneficiaries.
She said, they have trained judges and law enforcement officers and now is it time to provide training to those who directly interact with their beneficiaries adding that it is pivotal to the fight against Domestic violence.
Perpetrators she explained think that Domestic violence is a norm as the cases she indicated are increasing daily.
“You play a cardinal part in the justice system and gone are the days when women will be abused and marginalized and we trust that you will not sit there to allow such to continue “, she re-emphasized.
Speaking about the importance of the training, Atty. Williams noted that it is meant to further sharpen the skills of Prosecutors and City Solicitors in identifying the various human rights abuses and violence regularly meted out against women including Physical, psychological, and economic abuses.
” We encourage you to also use the Domestic Violence Act in order to exercise your professional duties properly and appropriately “, she noted.
The AFELL President urged the direct legal actors to continue to work with them in identifying these cases and finding a solution to Domestic violence saying it is a serious issue affecting society and their beneficiaries need relief.
Also speaking at the program was the Board Chair of AFELL, Cllr. Rosemarie B. James who underscored the importance of AFELL’s work and activities over the period especially for women.
She named advocacy, the protection of women’s rights, and empowerment adding it’s a key they have been championing since the year of its establishment.
Cllr. James also expressed hopes for a review of the Domestic Violence Act in a drive to make it advantageous to women who are the direct victims of Domestic violence.
This she is certain when done could help reduce the increasing wave of Domestic violence cases across the Country.
At the same, the first Vice President of AFELL, Cllr. Bowoulo Taylor informed the gathering that the initiative is in continuation of series or activities rolled out by AFELL over the period.
Cllr. Kelly reechoed that the training which is part of activities in observance of the 16 Days of Activism is also a holistic process in the fight against Sexual Gender Based Violence.
The training saw three renowned lawyers including. Cllr. Frances Johnson Allison, Legal Advisor to AFELL spoke on the topic, an overview of the domestic violence act, its application in bringing perpetrators to justice, Cllr. Felicia Coleman, Co. Chair, Board of Directors of AFELL also spoke on the role of the Court in alleviating domestic violence in Liberia and Cllr. Isaac George, Head, SGBV Unit, Ministry of Justice presented the Domestic Violence Act application in court on GBV cases and its effect on the victims and survivors.
Sponsored by the Danish Institute Against Torture (DIGNITY) The Day-long training on the Domestic Violence Act and the referral pathway as a response to eradicating domestic violence in Liberia brought together Prosecutors and City Solicitors from urban and rural parts of Montserrado, Margibi, Bong, Grand Cape, Rivergee, and Gbarpolu Counties among others.
Meanwhile, At the climax of the training, Atty. Emmanuel Hilton speaking on behalf of the participants applauded AFELL for the training and committed to applying the Domestic Violence Act by utilizing the survivor-centric approach in responding to Domestic violence in Liberia.
He highlighted the need for more training especially combined with the Magistrates to address the many issues that continue to impede the process of implementing the Domestic Violence Act.
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