Woman laws at Liberia
Liberia has made notable progress in advancing women's rights through legal reforms and institutional initiatives. However, chllenges persist, particularly concerning the implementation of laws and the influence of customary practices.
⚖️ Legal Framework for Women's Rights
1. Affirmative Action and Political Representation
In 2016, Liberia enacted the Equal Representation and Participation Act, establishing seven 'Special Constituencies'—five for women, one for youth, and one for persons with disabilities. This legislation aims to enhance women's participation in governance
2. Nationality and Citizenship
In August 2022, Liberia amended its Aliens and Nationality Law to grant both women and men equal rights to confer nationality to their children. This change addresses gender-based discrimination and aims to prevent statelessness among children
3. Abortion Laws
Liberia's abortion laws permit the procedure only in cases of rape, fetal impairment, or when the mother's physical or mental health is at risk, up to the 24th week of pregnancy. Despite this, unsafe abortions remain a significant concern, accounting for 15% of maternal deaths
🏛️ Institutional Mechanisms
Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection:Oversees the implementation of gender policies and programs aimed at promoting women's rights and welfare
Liberia National Commission on Women:Advocates for women's rights and works towards eliminating gender-based discrimination
⚠️ Challenges and Discriminatory Practices
1. Dual Legal System
Liberia operates under a dual legal system comprising statutory and customary laws While statutory laws promote gender equality, customary laws often perpetuate discriminatory practices, such as
Restrictions on women's ability to appear before traditional courts without their husbands
Limited rights for women regarding parental authority and child custody in cases of divorce or the husband's death
Exclusion of women from inheritance rights under customary law, despite statutory laws granting such rights
-Permissibility of polygamy under customary law, even though it is prohibited under statutory law
2. Gender-Based Violence
Despite legal frameworks addressing gender-based violence, enforcement remains inconsistent Cultural norms and societal attitudes continue to hinder the effective implementation of laws protecting women from violence
📈 Progress and Advocacy
Liberia's efforts to advance women's rights are supported by various civil society organizations and international partner. These groups focus o:
Advocating for the harmonization of statutory and customary laws to ensure consistent protection of women's right.
Providing education and awareness programs to challenge and change discriminatory cultural
practice.Supporting survivors of gender-based violence through legal aid and counseling service.
While Liberia has made significant strides in promoting women's rights, continued efforts are necessary to address the challenges posed by customary laws and societal attitude. Ongoing advocacy and legal reforms are crucial to achieving full gender equality in the countr.
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