Ganta, Nimba County – The courtroom is meant to be a place of certainty where the law is applied and justice is carried out. For many Liberian survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) experience has often been unclear, marked by protracted delays, complex procedures, and the silent fear of not being adequately heard.
For them, justice is more than a verdict. It is defense, an honor and It is a chance to speak without fear. In Ganta City, people are still debating this. Forty public defenders from Liberia’s fifteen judicial circuits gathered for a focused training on May 7-8 with the aim of expanding their understanding of the country’s modified Rape Law, SGBV regulations, and juvenile court procedures.
The training is part of a larger initiative to improve the administration of justice and restore public confidence. It was organized by the Judiciary of Liberia through the James A. A. Pierre Judicial Institute under the EU-funded Spotlight Initiative overseen by UNDP. His Honor Judge Musa S. Sidibey, Resident Judge of the Nimba County Sexual Offences Court, opened the meeting by emphasizing the importance of the role public defenders play.
“Access to justice depends on public defense,” he stated. “Your dedication to defending impoverished citizens remains essential to ensuring fairness in our justice system, despite the challenges you face.” He agreed that everyone who goes through the system is impacted by its stretched resources, huge caseloads, and procedural delays.
For survivors, delays can mean prolonged trauma and uncertainty. For defendants, particularly those without legal means, they often mean extended pretrial detention with little clarity on when justice will come. Speaking on behalf of UNDP, Program Associate Marzu Quaye emphasized that addressing SGBV requires more than legal frameworks. It requires stronger institutions and well-equipped justice actors.
“Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is not only a criminal justice issue, but also a profound development challenge. It undermines human dignity, erodes public trust in institutions, and weakens social cohesion.”
Deodata Mukazayire, coordinator of the Spotlight Initiative program, stressed the importance of addressing sexual and reproductive health rights, harmful behaviors, and violence against women and girls. She pointed out important gaps, such as defenders’ lack of experience with sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), survivors’ lack of awareness of the legislation, and justice actors’ lack of information.
“If I say something and you laugh, I will stop,” Mukazayire cautioned, adding that “insensitive questioning retraumatizes victims and can undermine cases.”
The training encourages trauma-informed, survivor-centered practice, she continued. “We encourage active participation and practical application to improve SGBV case management throughout Liberia, and we commend James A. A. Pierre Judicial Institute for institutionalizing this effort.”
The training included popular topics like the Domestic Violence Act of 2019 and the Amended Rape Law, as well as legal frameworks, trial procedures, and evidentiary standards. However, the more profound change took place outside of the lectures.
Participants explored a more complicated subject through open dialogue and shared experiences. Not only how justice is administered, but also how it is felt. Public defenders talked candidly about the difficulties they encounter in juggling their need to vigorously defend the accused with handling situations that are emotionally charged.
They explored how courtroom practices, tone, questioning, and timing can either protect dignity or unintentionally increase harm. The conversation gradually shifted from systems to people, from procedure to experience.
When a survivor describes suffering in public court, how does justice feel? If a defendant has to wait months or even years for a trial, what does it mean? These issues, which are frequently left out of legal documents, took center stage in the conversation. A clear change occurred on the second day. Participants started to reconsider what constitutes a good trial, including whether the procedure itself preserves justice, humanity, and dignity in addition to the legal results.
The main principle of the current justice reform movement in Liberia, and an awareness that improved the abilities of those who work in systems, the first step towards their improvement. Forty public defenders will return to their courts with fresh insights and a revitalized mission.
Their effects will show up gradually in the form of faster case processing, more deliberate questioning, greater adherence to due process, and increased trust among those pursuing justice. Most importantly, though, is that it will be felt. felt in courtrooms when justice is accessible, equitable, compassionate, and respects the dignity of each and every person it serves rather than being remote or frightening.
Reported by: Naneka Hoffman
