Protection from Sexual and Gender-based violence in Liberia: a role for traditional justice?

The international response to the situation of women in Liberia ? although touted as one of the great success stories in implementing the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) resolution 1325 by the United Nations (UN) and the Liberian government ? has not achieved what it set out to do. Efforts at reforming the institutions of the rule of law have shown a mixed record. Since the end of the conflict in Liberia, a main priority of the UN Mission in Liberia (UNMIL), UN agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) has been to deal with the very high levels of sexual violence against women and children. In spite of all these initiatives, few perpetrators are brought to justice; even fewer face trial and are found guilty.