Women and Children protection units at police stations are run by men thus
limiting the number of reported rape cases exacerbated by stigma associated
with reporting rape. The Committee also notes that transactional sex and sex
for grades in schools is a problem in the country despite the existence of a
Teacher Code of Conduct and the non-functionality of reporting mechanism in
schools as those who receive reports, such as school principals are at times
the perpetrators.
v. Child labor:
The Committee notes the adoption of the National Plan of Action on
Elimination of Child Labor in 2019; development and validation of list of
hazardous work for children in Liberia, to protect children from harmful work;
and the protection of legally employed children from hazardous work through
attestation of collective bargaining agreements.
vi. Harmful practices:
The Committee notes that there is no explicit ban on Female Gentile
Mutilation (FGM) and the practice is prevalent in the country in various forums
including in attachment with traditional schools.
vii. Actions points
Considering the above-mentioned findings, the Committee recommends the
State Party to expedite the implementation of the outstanding
recommendations of the Committee, contained in the Concluding
Observations and Recommendation issued in 2013. In particular the
Committee urges the Government to:
a) Submit its periodic report to the Committee on the status of the
implementation of the ACRWC;
b) Harmonize customary and statutory marriage laws with the Charter;
c) Repeal provisions of the penal code imposing death penalty and life
imprisonment on children;
d) Ban corporal punishment in all settings and undertake awareness
creation activities to introduce positive disciplining;
e) Amend the constitution to ensure that children are not discriminated
based on their or their parent’s race, gender or any other prohibited
ground in the Charter, in acquisition of nationality and ensure that
nationality laws do not render any child stateless or at risk of
statelessness;
f) Ratify the Hague convention on inter-country adoption;
g) Undertake budgetary restructuring to ensure effective utilization of
available budget in realization of rights and welfare of children and
enhance collaboration with non-Governmental stakeholders;