The Liberia Female Law Enforcement Association (LIFLEA) will hold a three-day Annual Retreat and General Assembly for female law enforcement officers (LEOs) from various security agencies across Liberia. About 100 female law enforcement officers from the Bureau of Corrections and Rehabilitations, Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency, Liberia National Fire Service, Liberia Immigration Service, Liberia National Police, Executive Protection Service, Monrovia City Police, Liberia Sea Port Police and representatives from private security guard services are expected to be in attendance.
The event is being supported by the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) of the US States Department through the International Development Law Organization (IDLO). It will be held under the theme, “Strengthening and Realigning LIFLEA’s Institutional Capacity for Improved and Effective Coordination among Female Law Enforcement Officers”, and will focus on a review of LIFLEA’s three-year strategic plan to assess progress made over the year, and identify gaps and challenges encountered in 2023. Furthermore, it will provide LIFLEA the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment in leading advocacy for women in law enforcement.
Additionally, LIFLEA will use the occasion to galvanize the support of female law enforcement officers to develop a communique which will outline deliberate actions to be prioritized by the Government of Liberia (GOL) in promoting and protecting the rights of women in law enforcement.
In November 2021, IDLO extended support to LIFLEA in convening an annual retreat and General Assembly. As part of that activity, LIFLEA’s constitution was amended, its three-year strategic plan revised, and a comprehensive one-year Action Plan formulated. Based on the outcome of that event, IDLO, with support from INL, is currently implementing the “Strengthening Gender Equality in Liberia’s Security Sector” project in support to LIFLEA’s Action Plan. The project, among other things, provides women in law enforcement the opportunity to improve their skills and advance themselves professionally.
The Liberia Female Law Enforcement Association (LIFLEA) was established on December 8, 2000 as the umbrella organization to protect and promote the interest and wellbeing of female law enforcement officers. Over the past twenty-three years, LIFLEA has consistently worked with stakeholders to advance policy reform and engage in continued advocacy efforts with a focus on promoting and protecting the rights of women in law enforcement in Liberia.