Liberia: Lessons from Liberia: Reintegrating women in post-conflict Liberia

In the second conflict however from 1999 to 2003, more women reportedly ‘volunteered’ to join the fighting forces, to protect themselves from sexual violence, to avenge the death of family members, under peer pressure, for material gain, and for survival. [...] ENGENDERING DISARMAMENT AND REINTEGRATION Following the signing of the Comprehensive Peace Agreement, and recognising the significant numbers of women and children involved, the UN Security Council determined in 2003 that the new Disarmament Demobilization Rehabilitation and Reintegration (DDRR) process in Liberia must give particular attention to their special needs.1. [...] This approach is in line with the Security Council’s landmark resolution 1325 (2000), on Women Peace and Security.2 The UN Integrated DDR Standards also require the building of a gender-responsive approach to DDR into every stage of the process.3. [...] The reintegration and rehabilitation phase was jointly run by the National Commission for Disarmament, Demobilization, Rehabilitation and Reintegration (NCDDRR) and UNDP when they started with the training program. [...] These factors and others including fear of reprisals from former male commanders, and a lack of childcare facilities or the option of evening classes, discouraged women and girls from participating fully in the DDRR programs and has hampered further reintegration into civilian life.