FELL mediates over 500 cases

The Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) says it has resolved 545 cases through mediation. Speaking Friday, 13 April in Bentol City, Montserrado County at the start of a two – day retreat and mediation training of female lawyers, AFELL president Atty. Vivian D. Neal indicated that they achieved the success of covering the period of 2016 to 2017.

AFELL says based on its work, it has been granted UNDP / UNMIL joint project to mediate more cases and seek legal redress for women, children and indignant persons in court for a period of a year.

“Our members are encouraged to come at the office whenever they are available to assist with some of the mediation and legal representation at court,” Atty. Neal added.

According to her, through the European Union, they are seeking speedy trial for women and youth in prison, particularly in Nimba, Bong and Lofa Counties.

She says they are also giving awareness on Sexual Gender – Based Violence (SGBV) in those areas, noting that from January to September 2017, a total of 892 SGBV cases were reported.

Atty. Neal says out of the total of 892 SGBV cases, 506 are rape cases while 475 involve children.

She says the two – day retreat grew out of AFELL’s desire to come together as stakeholders to discuss the wellbeing of the organization.

She says the retreat intends to review and reassess AFELL’s mandate to chat a new course for the future, saying “This retreat is also aimed at reawakening the spirit which gave rise to the founding of AFELL.”

By Bridgett Milton–Edited by Winston W. Parley