Liberian lawmaker urges West Africa to move beyond treaties and enforce laws against gender-based violence

A Liberian parliamentarian has called on West African governments to shift their focus from signing international agreements to fully implementing and domesticating laws that protect women and girls from violence, arguing that justice for survivors will remain elusive without effective enforcement.

She pointed to Liberia's Domestic Violence Act, saying the establishment of formal channels for reporting abuse has enabled more survivors to seek help.

The West Africa Female Parliamentarians Peer Review Conference has brought together women lawmakers, civil society organisations and development partners from across the region to exchange experiences and develop coordinated strategies to strengthen laws, improve implementation and eliminate violence against women and girls.