With support from the Swedish Police Authority, the Liberia National Police (LNP) has concluded a three – day refresher training on sexual and gender – based violence (SGBV) prevention for key actors.The training brought together more than 50 participants including nurses, police officers and social workers.A press release says the training covered topics including Psychosocial Counselling, Human Rights, and Peace Model in Investigations.
It sought to derive a coordinated approach among law enforcement officers, health workers and social workers for the provision of services to survivals of sexual violence as well as strengthen mechanisms for the prosecution of perpetrators of SGBV in Liberia.
The training had a huge female participation with 44 of the participants being women.
“This figure shows a fundamental push in our quest to increase women’s participation in the protection of human rights,” said Assistant Commissioner Varney Ali Sheriff, head of the Project Unit at the LNP.
Sheriff further explained that the participants were drawn from the Women And Children Protection Section (WACPS) assigned at Zones Six, Eight and ten police stations.
According to him, the participants also included Social Workers and Nurses assigned at the Five One Stop Centers (Redemption Hospital, Hope for Women International, James David Hospital, Star of the Sea in West Point and the Duport Road Clinic) in Montserrado County.
Sheriff explained that the training was a continuation of the Swedish Police Authority’s three years capacity building of the LNP’s Forensic and Gender Sections.
“The Swedish Police Authority has been strategically supporting the LNP and partners in an effort to enhancing the peace, justice,” Assistant Commissioner Sheriff explained.
He noted that this is in -sink with the concept of building strong institutions for the actualization of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGS).
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The participants applauded the Swedish Police Authority and the Liberia National Police for the training, describing it as a monumental drive towards combating sexual and gender – based violence in the society.
An assigned nurse at the James David Hospital, Elizabeth Kerkulah appreciated the Liberia National Police, and the Swedish Police for the training.
“This training will further enhance our ability to support survival of SGBVs and deliver quality services to them,” Kerkulah said as she spoke on behalf of the trainees.
She recounted the renovation done at the Duport Road Clinic by the Swedish Police Authority between 2017 and 2018 which costs over US$2,500.00.
“In fact, they gave us some Christmas gift, many materials to work with,” added Mrs. Kerkulah.
For his part, the Desk Officer at the Swedish Police Authority Project for International Development Cooperation, Nikolas Jerkedal recognized the cooperation between the LNP and the Swedish Government.
He also encouraged the trainees to further improve their coordinating scales and perform beyond expectations at their various workplaces.
Speaking on behalf of Liberia’s Inspector General of Police, Patrick T. Sudue, the Deputy Inspector General of Police for Crime Services Department, Intelligence and Interpol, Prince K. Mulbah extended gratefulness to the Swedish Police and the Swedish Embassy for their continuous support in building the capacity of the Liberia National Police.
Deputy Inspector General Mulbah said Sweden has continued to remained strong and strategic partner to the operations of the LNP, saying “we are grateful for this friendship.”
He then thanked the participants for the efforts made gaining such knowledge and prayed the Swedish Police for a renewal of the similar project to enable LNP performs professionally.–Press release
