Medica Liberia Launches STARS-4-SGBV Project

“With this initiative, we are proud to announce our return to River Gee and Grand Gedeh counties. This is more than just a project—it’s a homecoming and a renewal of our promise to the communities that first embraced our mission,” – Atty Yah V Parwon – Country Director, Medica Liberia

Medica Liberia has officially launched the Strengthening Action, Response, and Services for Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (STARS-4-SGBV) project, funded by the Embassy of Ireland. 

The event coincided with the commencement of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign and brought together key stakeholders, including government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, civil society organizations, and women’s rights advocates, all united in the fight to end violence against women and girls. 

In her opening remarks, medica Liberia’s Country Director, Atty. Yah V. Parwon, emphasized the critical role of localization in development efforts. She noted that empowering local actors and communities to lead solutions is essential for sustainable impact.

“This partnership with the Embassy of Ireland is an embodiment of that principle”, she said, describing the initiative as a catalyst for long-lasting change”. 

Since its inception in southeastern Liberia in 2006, Medica Liberia has remained dedicated to addressing the needs of often-overlooked and underfunded regions. The launch of the STARS-4-SGBV project signals a renewed commitment to addressing systemic gaps in sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) prevention and response, particularly in River Gee, Grand Gedeh, and Sinoe counties. 

Building on past successes, the project includes capacity-building for duty bearers and the expansion of community-based structures to combat SGBV. Its design aligns with strategic frameworks such as Irish Aid’s Mission Strategy, Liberia’s Anti-SGBV Roadmap, and the ARREST Agenda. 

The initiative also incorporates the SASA methodology—medica Liberia’s recognized approach to addressing power dynamics and preventing violence.

“Our goal is to ensure that the communities we work with have the structures in place to continue this work long after our direct involvement,”

Representing the Embassy of Ireland, Madam Hughes who launched the project on behalf of Ambassador Jared Considine, emphasized that gender equality is a cornerstone of Ireland’s foreign and development policies. She described the eradication of gender-based violence as essential to achieving true equality. 

“Until GBV is eradicated, there can be no gender equality. The integration of GBV prevention and response into Ireland’s strategy was a priority during the embassy’s planning process,” she said. 

A panel discussion during the launch highlighted the importance of collaboration in combating SGBV. Panelists thanked Medica Liberia and the Embassy of Ireland for their commitment to returning to River Gee and Grand Gedeh counties. They pledged to work alongside Medica Liberia in implementing the project and urged the judicial system to take SGBV cases more seriously to ensure justice for survivors. 

“Fast-tracking SGBV cases in courtrooms across all counties is critical to saving the lives of women and girls in our society,” one panelist stressed. 

The panelists also praised Medica Liberia’s legacy of impactful work in southeastern Liberia, expressing optimism about the positive changes the project would bring. 

The launch event underscored the collaborative nature of the STARS-4-SGBV project. Madam Hughes commended the Medica Liberia team for their dedication and innovation in shaping the initiative. 

“This project reflects a partnership built on shared values and priorities,” she said, noting that the initiative would provide valuable lessons for future programming. 

As Medica Liberia renews its commitment to southeastern Liberia, the STARS-4-SGBV project stands as a testament to the power of collaboration in addressing sexual and gender-based violence and creating a safer, more equitable society for women and girls.