Monrovia, Liberia – Justice cannot be fully accessible unless all women are aware of their fundamental rights, according to UN Women Liberia Country Representative Madam Comfort Lamptey, who called on the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) to think about offering legal literacy to the country’s rural women.
On Friday, May 30, 2025, Madam Lamptey gave the keynote address at the AFELL induction ceremony. She suggested: “It will be important for AFELL to increase your footprint in rural Liberia by incorporating locally based female lawyers in your membership, and in addition you could consider providing legal literacy to uneducated women and girls.”
While AFELL has achieved significant strides through judicial advocacy, she pointed out that millions of women still lack legal empowerment, framing this as Liberia’s next crucial battleground in gender justice.
“Your organization has been able to make significant progress in promoting the rights of women by providing pro bono legal representation,” she said, emphasizing that if women are unable to identify rights abuses in their everyday lives, legal victories are meaningless.
The UN representative expressed special appreciation for AFELL’s ongoing efforts to combat female genital mutilation, saying: “I want to commend the work that you are doing now to see Liberia adopt a law to ban the practice of FGM.”
She emphasized the necessity of grassroots legal education to support policy reforms, but cautioned that laws by themselves cannot protect women who are unaware of their rights.
As the leading voice for women’s rights in Liberia, Madam Lamptey described AFELL as “one of the credible, reliable, and effective women’s rights organizations in Liberia.” However, she cautioned that ongoing issues necessitate fresh efforts:
“There’s a need for more sustained actions by women advocates, finding your organization (AFELL) for the protection of the rights of women and girls,” the keynote speaker urged.
Breaking the deeply ingrained patriarchal conventions that still stand in the way of women and girls’ pursuit of justice is imperative. AFELL members were pushed by her to be unwavering advocates: “You all have a responsibility to speak out, and I mean strongly speak out to send the firm message that women seeking justice are entitled to a fair representation under the law.”
Among the specific tactics that Madam Lamptey recommended were closer cooperation with the Office of the War and Economics Crimes Court, the Gender Ministry, and women’s organizations such as WONGOSOL.
UN Women said, “We remain committed and very proud and privileged to have worked closely with AFELL over the years,” reinforcing the organization’s support. We are really grateful for this collaboration.
In her reflection on the world’s accomplishments since the Beijing Declaration thirty years ago, Madam Lamptey praised Liberia’s dedication to two key areas: investing in young female leaders and putting an end to violence against women.
“This is important for AFELL as it is central to its works,” she said, linking local activity to global frameworks.
Newly appointed AFELL President Cllr. Philomena Tugbe Williams responded immediately to the demand, promising to make rural legal education a priority of her administration.
“We will not relent until every woman and child in Liberia enjoys the full protection of justice,” Williams vowed, announcing plans to expand AFELL’s reach beyond urban centers as they have already started doing.
Cllr. Williams highlighted AFELL’s recent achievement in establishing a Juvenile Court while decrying that “juvenile delinquents are sadly being placed in surrounding jail cells with hardened adult criminals.” She framed this as part of the broader justice gap affecting Liberia’s most vulnerable.
The president of AFELL saved her strongest condemnation for Female Genital Mutilation, declaring: “Cutting and slicing the private part of a woman or girl has no meaningful value it is harmful, unhealthy, and a form of violence.”
She positioned its eradication as both a legal and educational challenge requiring community-level engagement.
Expressing gratitude, Cllr. Williams acknowledged AFELL’s key partners, including the Clooney Foundation for Justice, DIGNITY, OHCHR, and UN Women, whose support enabled the organization to assist over 5,000 women and children between 2022 and 2024.
She also commended Liberia’s judiciary, particularly Chief Justice Sie-Nyene Yuoh and Associate Justice Jamesetta Wolokollie, for their pivotal role in expediting justice for survivors of gender-based violence.
The newly sworn-in leadership of AFELL includes Cllr. Philomena Tugbe Williams who maintains her role as President, with Cllr. Bowoulo Taylor Kelley serving as 1st Vice President and Cllr. Evelyn Lah Gongloe taking office as 2nd Vice President. The executive committee was completed with Cllr. Sundaiway N. Amegashie as Secretary General.
Reported by: Prince Saah
