The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, in partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), has kickoff a significant initiative to strengthen the fight against gender-based violence (GBV) in Liberia through a Two-Day Validation Workshop for the Centralized, Integrated, and Digital GBV Information and Case Management System Tools.
The workshop, which began at 8:00 am, aims to review, validate, and refine newly developed digital tools designed to enhance GBV response and case management. These tools are central to a new, integrated system that promises to revolutionize the way cases of GBV are reported, tracked, and managed across Liberia.
The opening session featured heartfelt remarks from the Deputy Minister for Gender, who underscored the workshop’s importance. “This is more than just a meeting,” she stated. “This is a significant step in our journey to build a more resilient and responsive system to address the pervasive issue of gender-based violence. These tools represent hope for many who have suffered in silence.”
In her welcome remarks, Atty. Laura Golakeh urged participants to seize the opportunity to contribute to the validation of the system and tools. She emphasized that the validation workshop marks a crucial milestone in Liberia’s fight against GBV, stating that it is not merely a gathering of experts and stakeholders but a powerful demonstration of the country’s collective commitment to addressing gender-based violence through innovation, partnership, and sustained effort.
Atty. Golakeh highlighted the importance of having a robust data system for Liberia, insisting that “there is no better time than now.” She reiterated the government’s commitment to establishing an integrated data management system that will provide a clearer path for collecting GBV information.
The workshop brings together stakeholders from across the country, including government representatives from various ministries, civil society members, health workers, and technology experts, all united in their commitment to ending GBV in Liberia.
In his remarks, UNFPA Deputy Country Representative Leonard Kamugisha thanked the Ministry of Gender for what he described as “excellent leadership” from the new team at the Ministry.
“We all know the value of data,” he stated. “Without data, we are walking in the dark; we cannot plan, respond, or allocate resources appropriately to meet the needs of survivors. If we do not understand the extent of the problem, we cannot find solutions to the challenges that Liberia faces.”
He affirmed UNFPA’s commitment to working alongside government ministries to strengthen data management systems, including those for GBV. Kamugisha also expressed gratitude to the European Union for its support through the United Nations system, particularly the Spotlight Initiative, which has made such endeavors possible.
He further emphasized that while having the right tools is crucial, it is equally important to understand who the users of those tools are, noting that comprehending the data flow or pathway is critical to the success of these efforts.
The workshop continues with detailed presentations on the tools, highlighting their features, functionalities, and potential impact.
The meeting is taking place from Thursday, September 12, to Friday, September 13, 2024, at A’La Lagune in Congo Town, Monrovia.
