In a drive to enforce inclusivity in the work of the office of the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court in Liberia, three institutions to include; The Office Of The Establishment Of War And Economic Crimes Court in Liberia, the Women’s NGOs Secretariat of Liberia and integrity watch Liberia on Thursday ended a one day interactive dialogue on Gender Mainstreaming in the work of OWECC-L.
The one day dialogue came following the signing of a memorandum of understanding between the three institutions.
Among other things, the three entities agreed to collaborate in the thematic area to ensure that OWECC-L framework for the establishment of the courts is Gender responsive.
Providing an overview during the opening session was the Gender director at OWECC-L Attorney Vivian D. Neal who stated that the three institutions see the partnership as a demonstration of their willingness to include everyone as they embarked on a campaign to advance Gender justice and further promote the inclusion of Gender participation in Liberia’s transitional justice endeavor in line with the mandate of the OWECC-L.
Prior to the process, she told the gathering that OWECC-L through its Executive Director Cllr. Jallah Barbu already took steps including Gender Mainstreaming in its activities evidence of having a Gender office and or department at OWECC-L.
Dr. Barbu she indicated pledged his administration’s zero tolerance on exclusivity, meaning all have a place in the process of bringing closure to the bitter past of Liberia.
Speaking further the director at the division of anti corruption at the OWECC-L Cllr. Asatu Bah Kenneth said the OWECC-L entered the partnership to also ensure that the role of women in the process is key regardless of background or their statuses within the society.
According to her, Integrity Watch Liberia and WONGOSOL expressed their support to working with the OWECC-L to ensure that the office gets the support necessary to Mainstream Gender in their work.
“Women and girls were the most vulnerable of the Civil War, there are testimonies, evidences and witnesses all willing to come forward to express it as such, their role to the process is pivotal “, she re-emphasized.
Cllr. Kenneth told the gathering that they have been working over the period with victim groups, transitional justice actors adding that it is a Liberian led process that needs to be driven by Liberians.
Speaking about the dialogue she stated that it also focuses on the rule of law which is key to the process.
” We have thousands of our women and girls who fled the Country for their lives but have not been heard”, she noted.
Cllr. Kenneth believes that working together under one umbrella, they will be able to bring closure to the unattended cases and subsequently be able to find justice for the victims.
Making remarks on behalf of Integrity Watch was Daniel Tucker from Conciliation Resources who underscored the importance of gender Mainstreaming in the entire OWECC-L processes.
Liberia he pointed out has made some progress in its post recovery drive yet the shadows of the past still lingers.
He named recommendations from the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, Justice and accountability as well as genuine Reconciliation as key issues to be addressed.
Daniel at the same time called for collective actions and approaches to help address past issues as a result of the Civil War in Liberia.
Making reference to women who he stated are also key to the OWECC-L’s Work, Daniel emphasized that transitional justice and Reconciliation are fundamental to the process.
According to him , Gender Mainstreaming is not only about representation but also about total inclusion.
At the same time , the Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Liberia Christine Umutoni said integrating Gender into transitional justice is something very important.
She indicated that it is crucial to engage and highlight Gender especially considering it from the inception throughout the process.
The UN Resident Coordinator also encouraged coordination and consultation at direct and all levels throughout the process.
The UN she said supports a holistic approach to transitional justice.
According to her, the UN is committed to a transitional justice process that promotes compliance with international norms and standards and innovative solutions tailored in the Country’s context.
Presenting the framework document to the body was the Board Chair of WONGOSOL Atty. Facial Harris.
Under the caption; Gender framework for OWECC-L towards Gender justice, human rights and peace in Liberia, Atty. Harris told the gathering that the documents crafted by the three institutions captured four main pillars.
She was quick to add that the four pillars are guided by legal frameworks focusing on international, regional and national laws and policies respectively.
The WONGOSOL Board chair named the four pillars as: Gender Justice responsive mechanisms, Gender and economic crimes accountability, Gender Sensitive reparation and Rehabilitation and institutional Mainstreaming and capacity building.
The document she also added captures monitoring and evaluation as well as accountability issues.
Meanwhile, the one day gathering under the team fostering inclusive dialogue for gender Mainstreaming in the establishment of OWECC-L and the anti corruption court in Liberia was very engaging with both panelists and participants sharing their thoughts and expertise on the issue.
Among other things, the dialogue focused on enhance participation of leadership of women in gender Mainstreaming processes as well as contributing to the integration of gender responsive policy that addresses sexual and gender-based violence respectively.
