A House with Two Rooms - The Advocates for Human Rights

While such programs are important for facilitating re-integration, other long-term programs should
aim at eradicating misperceptions that victims of sexual abuse are somehow tainted and in need of
purification. Such perceptions are erroneous and perpetuate harmful stereotypes about women and
girls.
• The Government of Liberia should: 1) give special attention to the rights and needs of
women and children, and to the factors relating to the reproductive role of women and
their subordinate position in some societies, which make them especially vulnerable to HIV
infection; 2) increase its public
education efforts regarding
the risk and effects of HIV/
AIDS, especially in women
and children; and 3) take steps
to promote the role of women
in the health care sector. 40
• The Government of Liberia
should establish and
strengthen mechanisms to
investigate, bring to justice,
and punish those responsible
for committing acts of sexual violence. 43
• The Government of Liberia should establish a fund to assist victims of sexual violence
without delay. 44
Programs for Vulnerable Groups: Elders
Liberians regard elders in their communities as individuals deserving particular respect and protection.
During the conflict, many of the social patterns of reverence for elders were undermined as armed
groups specifically targeted elder leaders when attacking communities. The U.N. Principles on Older
Persons, the U.N. Proclamation on Ageing, and the relevant General Comments by the Committee
on Economic, Social, and Cultural Rights provide a guiding framework for the effective promotion
and protection of the human rights of Liberian elders. 46 The Advocates recommends the following:
410
Potential Implementation Strategy
In its report on reparations for victims of sexual violence
in Sierra Leone, Amnesty International made several
recommendations that the Government of Liberia may
wish to consider in addressing the needs of victims. Among
others, the report recommended the inclusion of a gender
component, including consultation and expertise, in the
creation and implementation of any reparations program, 41
as well as the issuance of a public acknowledgement or
apology for the suffering of women and girls. 42
Potential Implementation Strategy: Resource Directory for Victims of Sexual Violence
In its final report, the TRC of Sierra Leone recommended the creation of a resource directory for
women and girl victims of sexual violence. 45 The Government of Liberia may wish to consider creating
a directory of skills programs, service providers, and donor agencies in Monrovia and rural Liberia
available to victims of sexual violence for dissemination, taking into account the needs of illiterate
populations.