Liberia is Not Just a Man Thing: Transitional Justice Lessons for Women, Peace and Security
Liberia provides an interesting case study of the role women have played in peace building in the West African context. Liberian women played an integral role in bringing an end to armed conflict.
http://www.ictj.org/sites/default/files/ICTJ-IFP-Liberia-Gender-Cluster-2008-English.pdf
Child soldiers and Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration in West Africa
This report describes current child soldier and DDR programs, as well as gaps, funding needs and overlaps identified by those organizations. It further outlines proposals for information sharing and more effective advocacy work on child soldier issues in the sub-region. Ideas for new research are also proposed. this report is not an evaluation or compilation of best practices, but an attempt to share knowledge about the organizations working on DDR in the region, giving an overview of programs being undertaken by child protection agencies in West Africa. It does not intend to give a complete picture and many relevant and important programs and activities are not mentioned here simply because it was not possible to meet every stakeholder.
Association of Combatant Status and Sexual Violence With Health and Mental Health Outcomes in Post Conflict Liberia
Former combatants in Liberia were not exclusively male. Both female and male former combatants who experienced sexual violence had worse mental health outcomes than noncombatants and other former combatants who did not experience exposure to sexual violence.
The psychosocial impact of war, HIV and other high-risk situations on girls and boys in West and Central Africa.
The psychological and physical suffering of children expressed in the testimonies makes for disturbing reading. But the findings need to be understood for what they are: reports on children in extreme situations where traditional and modern protection mechanisms of states, families and communities have failed .
Women war survivors of the 1989-2003 conflict in Liberia: the health consequences of sexual torture
Levels of psychological trauma are very high resulting in a large percentage of women not being able to work. The stigma and shame of women’s experiences and their reproductive health problems has further impact on their identities and a gendered understanding of trauma is proposed. However, Liberian women demonstrated resilience; contributing to peace processes, taking up male roles and bringing the first ever woman Head of State to power .
The impact of conflict on women and girls in West and Central Africa
Côte d’Ivoire, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Liberia and Sierra Leone, are still embroiled in, or emerging from, long-term warfare. Women and girls in these countries are most vulnerable to gender-based violence and need special protection measures. This study on the situation of war-affected girls and women in the region highlights programmes being implemented with partners to address the impact of conflict, and recommends how UNICEF can more proactively champion the rights of girls – particularly adolescent girls.
Central African Republic Côte d'Ivoire Democratic Republic of Congo Global Liberia Sierra Leone West Africa
Association of Combatant Status and Sexual Violence With Health and Mental Health Outcomes in Postconflict Liberia
Former combatants in Liberia were not exclusively male. Both female and male former combatants who experienced sexual violence had worse mental health outcomes than noncombatants and other former combatants who did not experience exposure to sexual violence.
https://media-openideo-rwd.oiengine.com/attachments/1c8668a4-8444-42a2-92f1-e559946fd02c.pdf
Appraisal of psychosocial interventions in Liberia
This article presents the methodology and results of a study on the effectiveness of two psychosocial interventions targeting female victims of war related and sexual violence in Liberia. One intervention provided counseling, the other offered support groups and skill training. Qualitative research suggests that the participants of both interventions were positive with regard to the help provided (Intervention 2007, Volume 5, Number 1, Page 18 26).
http://www.interventionjournal.com/sites/default/files/de%20beus.pdf
Nothing Left to Lose: The Legacy of Armed Conflict and Liberias Children
Liberia has been in a nearly constant state of civil war for 14 years. This has taken an enormous toll on the lives of Liberian children, adolescents and all civilians. Throughout the years of civil war and especially during the 2003 War, thousands of Liberian children have been victims of killings, rape and sexual assault, abduction, torture, forced labor, forced recruitment into fighting forces and displacement and other violations by warring factions.
Children Affected by Armed Conflict/ Child Soldiers
Child Soldiers provides an overview of the conditions and treatment of the estimated 250,000 children who fight in wars around the world. This thematic page describes the impact soldiering has on children and steps being taken to end this abuse.
http://yapi.org/youth-wellbeing/children-affected-by-armed-conflict-child-soldiers/
Burma Côte d'Ivoire Liberia Rwanda Sierra Leone Sri Lanka Sudan