WONGOSOL Calls for Increased Government Funding to Combat Gender Based Violence in Liberia

Monrovia, Liberia | August 13, 2026 — The Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) today participated in Legal Hour on OK FM 99.5, contributing to an important national conversation on protecting women and girls and strengthening efforts to prevent and respond to gender-based violence (GBV) in Liberia.

WONGOSOL was represented by Executive Director Esther S. Davis Yango, accompanied by Ms. Munah Kieh Kelly, Program Manager, and Ms. Jeneba McGill Vessellie, Membership Coordinator. Together, the team discussed Liberia’s progress, persistent challenges facing women and girls, and the actions required to translate laws and policies into meaningful protection and justice.

The discussion focused on legal protections under Liberia’s Constitution and national laws; international and regional frameworks, including CEDAW, the Maputo Protocol and UN Security Council Resolution 1325; challenges in preventing and responding to GBV; and the collective responsibilities of government, communities, families and citizens.

WONGOSOL emphasized that while Liberia has made important progress in establishing laws, policies and institutions to protect women and girls, the real measure of progress is whether women and girls across the country can live without fear, safely report violence, access survivor-centered services and obtain timely justice.

The team highlighted persistent challenges, including weak enforcement of laws, delays in the justice system, inadequate services for survivors, harmful social norms, fear of reporting abuse, and gaps in institutional coordination and accountability.

A key concern raised during the discussion was the need for increased and sustained government funding for GBV prevention and response. WONGOSOL stressed that laws and policies cannot be effectively implemented without adequate resources. More funding is needed to strengthen GBV response services, safe homes and referral pathways; support investigations and prosecutions; expand psychosocial, legal and health services for survivors; strengthen prevention and community awareness; and adequately resource institutions responsible for protecting women and girls.

WONGOSOL also stressed that ending violence against women and girls is not the responsibility of women alone. Government institutions, families, community and traditional leaders, schools, religious institutions, the media, civil society, men and boys, and individual citizens all have important roles to play.

WONGOSOL therefore called for stronger enforcement of existing laws, increased national budgetary allocations for GBV prevention and response, greater investment in survivor-centered services, improved institutional coordination, accountability for perpetrators, and sustained public education.

WONGOSOL remains committed to working with government, communities, civil society and development partners to advance the rights, safety and dignity of women and girls throughout Liberia.

Protecting women and girls is not simply a women’s issue; it is a human rights, justice, development and national responsibility.