The Feminist Alliance launched a National Budget Analysis Report focused on funding issues for SGBV services in Liberia. Key findings reveal significant gaps in government support and an over-reliance on international funding. The report promotes the urgent need for sustainable national ownership of SGBV services and calls for action from government and civil society stakeholders.
The Feminist Alliance’s Liberian Chapter, which includes medica Liberia, ADWANGA, and RYMI, has launched a National Budget Analysis Report aimed at addressing funding shortcomings in Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) services. The report stresses the need for sustainable national support for SGBV initiatives in Liberia, as the reliance on donor funding proves inadequate under current circumstances.
The report’s unveiling event, hosted in Monrovia, gathered government representatives, civil society organizations, and development partners to discuss the pressing issues surrounding SGBV funding. Key government ministries present included the Ministry of Gender, Ministry of Finance, and Ministry of Justice, highlighting the collaborative efforts needed to tackle these gaps.
In their analysis, the report notes a substantial lack of funding over the past five years, marking a worrisome pattern of insufficient financial commitments that jeopardize essential services for SGBV survivors. Current funding structures primarily depend on external donations, leaving a significant void in local governmental support for these critical services.
Hon. Moima Briggs-Mensah, Chairperson of the House of Representatives on Gender, emphasized the role of civil society in holding lawmakers accountable for ensuring comprehensive coverage of SGBV issues beyond just rape, advocating for attention to issues such as female genital mutilation (FGM).
Madam Aisha Lai, Country Director of Kvinna till Kvinna, expressed gratitude for the initiative and reinforced the need for collaborative efforts among civil society organizations (CSOs) and government entities to effectively address the noted gaps in SGBV services.
Dr. Cynthia Blapooh, representing the Ministry of Health, acknowledged the importance of the analysis in providing safe spaces for victims of SGBV. She highlighted ongoing efforts to decentralize One-Stop Centers across Liberia, aimed at improving access to support mechanisms for survivors.
Despite ongoing legislative and policy reforms addressing gender-based violence, substantial financial neglect persists, preventing effective service delivery. The report identified major deficiencies in government budgets, with critical initiatives often receiving little to no financial support, which undermines the proposed measures aimed at combatting SGBV.
Cllr. Yah V. Parwon from medica Liberia led the report’s launch and underscored that it serves as a call to action for improved funding and prioritization of SGBV issues. She stressed that support structures like safe homes must not depend exclusively on donor funding but require local governmental investment.
The report culminates in a powerful call for national ownership of SGBV services in Liberia, urging all stakeholders to urgently allocate adequate resources to protect survivors and secure their rights. The collaborative effort between various organizations and government is crucial to making strides in the fight against SGBV.
UN Women representatives reinforced this message, noting that Liberia cannot rely indefinitely on external donors for the implementation of SGBV initiatives. They called for a committed national budget to ensure ongoing access to justice and healthcare for survivors.
ACP Suzie Telleh from the National Police Women and Children Division also stressed that effective action against SGBV hinges on substantial funding from the government, highlighting the need for a sustainable framework to support these initiatives in Liberia.
The launch of the National Budget Analysis Report illustrates critical funding gaps in sexual and gender-based violence services in Liberia, underscoring the need for sustainable national support rather than dependence on international aid. The report serves as both a diagnostic tool and a call to action for government, civil society, and development partners to prioritize adequate funding and effective service delivery for SGBV survivors. Achieving national ownership of these services is paramount for long-term success in combating SGBV in Liberia.
Original Source: www.liberianobserver.com
