medica mondiale in Liberia - Working for women‘s rights and empowerment

Facts and Figures Area: West Africa (43 km²) Population: ~ 4 million 17 ethnic groups with different languages: Krahn, Kru, Grebo, Sapo, Mandingo, Bassa… HDI: 182 (of 187 countries) Gender Inequality Index: 139 (of 146 countries) Maternal mortality rate: 770 of 100.000 (Germany: 7) Child mortality rate: 107 of 1000 (Germany: 4)

History of the Civil War 1989 Charles Taylor overthrows Samuel Doe; begin of a bloody civil war that lasts for 14 years „Accra“ peace agreement signed and UN mission sent to Liberia (UNMIL) 2006 Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is elected first female president in Africa

Rape and sexualized violence during the war „We were running, running, running…“

Violence against women after the war „Nobody is safe here“

Sexualised violence in Liberia today A favorable political framework but: Health care services not working properly Justice system not working properly Insufficient counseling services for women to deal with war trauma and with ongoing gender based violence Little awareness for violence against women, taboos prevailing, shame No protection for women!!! Central Prison in River Gee, 2006

What is medica mondiale Liberia doing to improve the situation?

Project area: South-Eastern Liberia

… getting there

Musu‘s story

violence against women Normality of violence against women

We train community women as counselors and focal points for SGBV

Lack of knowledge, disregard for women‘s needs, insensitivity

We train the police

Lack of knowledge, lack of resources Hospital

Our trainings in clinical management of rape and the trauma-sensitive approach are certified by the Ministry of Health

Lack of knowledge and awareness, corruption Local court officials

We train court officials

psychosocial counselling We provide psychosocial counselling

We support the Gender Ministry to coordinate the „SGBV-Taskforce“

We seek income generating activities

We promote the prevention of violence through community awareness campaigns

We include traditional authorities and elders in trainings and sensitization

Women solidarity groups medica mondiale Liberias‘ Protection network Community counselors Women solidarity groups Individual survivor Safe houses Income generating activities Psychosocial counseling Health training + counseling Legal training + counseling County level Community level Other (I)NGOs Referrals Referrals Referrals Health clinics and hospitals Courts Police Referrals SGBV-Taskforces Documentation of Human Rights violations; Support of policy development National level

What we need your support for?

- to reach out to more communities - to continue improving human rights for women - to contribute to ending gender based violence - to promote social change

Project goal Medica Liberia is a dynamic, independent and viable women's rights organisation, focussing on protection and empowering of women and girls affected by gender-specific violence.

The new Liberian Country Director Caroline Bowah Brown

Learning how to plan projects

Learning how to set up a budget

Learning how to monitor the work

Developing a strategy together

Mary‘s message

Thank you! medica mondiale e.V. Hülchrather Str. 4 50670 Köln www.mediamondiale.org

An inclusive, peaceful and violent-free society for women and girls medica mondiale Liberia Vision An inclusive, peaceful and violent-free society for women and girls Mission medica mondiale Liberia is a feminist organization with transformed and self-determined women providing quality services through capacity building, counseling, awareness raising and advocacy for women and girls affected by all forms of gender based violence.