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Liberia

Background

The First Liberian Civil War lasted from 1989 to 1997, killing around 200,000 people and displacing a million into refugee camps in neighboring countries. Although peace was eventually made, the Second Liberian Civil War started two years later, from 1999 to 2003. Thousands were displaced and over 50,000 were killed. Not only did these wars destroy Liberia’s economic infrastructure and violate human rights such as heavily using child soldiers, but it also led West Africa into further destabilization.

Resistance

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In order to end the Second Liberian Civil War and the instability after the war, Liberian women headed by Leymah Gbowee formed the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace in 2003. The organization included thousands of Muslim and Christian women who worked to arrange nonviolent protests. Some methods of resistance were a silent protest staged outside of the Presidential Palace, threats to undress during a sit-in, and a sex strike until men put away weapons. In particular, the women would “corridor-lobby,” as they dressed in white and blocked negotiators from leaving the peace talks without a resolution. They also applied political pressure, forcing a meeting with then-president Charles Taylor into attending peace talks in Ghana.

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The women’s efforts were successful, contributing to the signing of the 2003 Comprehensive Peace Agreement and the country’s—as well as Africa’s—first female president to be elected in 2005 and 2011: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Sirleaf prioritized women’s rights in Liberia; her administration put more women in office, created the Women’s Legislative Caucus that emphasized gender equality in legislature, and established The Inheritance Act that set up rights of inheritance for spouses of statutory and customary marriages. Rape was also made punishable with a maximum sentence of life in prison.

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Legacy

The legacy of Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace is undeniable. The organization exemplified that women could engage in the rebuilding of war-ridden societies and restoration of peace. Established in 2006, Women Peace and Security Network – Africa is an organization based in Ghana promoting women's strategic participation and leadership in peace and governance in Africa. In addition, similar protests led by women were seen in the Second Ivorian Civil War.

Ellen Johnson Sirleaf

“The world once remembered Liberia for child soldiers. They now know our country for the women in white.” —Leymah Gbowee

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