. Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh delivering special at AFELL’s induction
Monrovia – Liberia’s Chief Justice Sie-A-Nyene G. Yuoh has urged Liberian female lawyers to activate renewed commitment to protecting women and children’s rights. She spoke on Friday, May 30. 2025, during the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) leadership induction ceremony held at the Temple of Justice up Capitol Hill.
The Chief Justice rallied the female lawyers to work cordially with AFELL’s leadership noting, “There’s much to do. Let us join and continue to be more active in this organization. We have so much to give. Having knowledge of the law and the procedures when it comes to these matters affecting females and children and indigent persons in our society,” Yuoh said.
With less than three months to climax her tenure on Liberia’s Supreme Court bench announced: “Within three months time, you will see me there” at AFELL headquarters after her retirement. “I went to AFELL, I lived in AFELL there, I worked in AFELL for free until I got employed at the Law Reform Commission,” Justice Yuoh recounted, painting a vivid picture of her early career sacrifices. Her personal narrative served as both inspiration and challenge to the new generation of female lawyers in attendance.
Justice Yuoh framed the enduring nature of their mission: “Women and children issues will always be current in any society…this organization will continually have its hands full.” She warned against complacency, emphasizing that rural women still face alarming justice gaps – unable to recognize rights violations or access legal representation.
The Chief Justice turned the spotlight on disturbing new threats, revealing how traffickers now exploit digital platforms to prey on vulnerable women. She shared the chilling case of a Liberian woman stranded in The Gambia after being deceived by an online romance. “There are current issues affecting women and children,” Yuoh stressed.
With this, she scolded lawyers who neglect pro bono work: “It is disheartening to see most of us who even have the time and we are not making that time to go to our organization where we can make a difference.”** The courtroom fell silent as she reminded them of their sacred duty: “The rural women are depending on us. The market women are depending on us.”
Wrapping up her remark, Justice Yuoh endorsed Associate Justice Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay’s
call for constitutional reform, agreeing that AFELL’s two-year leadership terms are inadequate. “I will be the proponent for that when I retire,” she pledged,
Like the Chief Justice, UN Women Liberia Country Representative Madam Comfort Lamptey acclaimed AFELL’s commitment over the years but warned that persistent challenges demand renewed action: “There’s a need for more sustained actions by women advocates, finding your organization [AFELL] for the protection of the rights of women and girls.”
The diplomat who also served as the keynote speaker, urged: “Now is the time to break the entrenched patriarchal norms that continue to serve as barriers to women and girls’ quest for access to justice.” She challenged AFELL members to be uncompromising advocates: “You all have a responsibility to speak out and I mean strongly speak out to send the firm message that women seeking Justice are entitled to a fair representation under the law.”
Madam Lamptey proposed concrete strategies, including deeper collaboration with the Gender Ministry, Office of the War and Economics Crimes Court, and women’s groups like WONGOSOL. She reaffirmed UN Women’s support, stating: “We remain committed and very proud and privileged to have worked closely with AFELL over the years. We highly value this partnership.”
Reflecting on global progress since the Beijing Declaration 30 years prior, Lamptey commended Liberia’s commitment to two priority areas: ending violence against women and investing in young female leaders. “This is important for AFELL as it is central to its works,” she noted, connecting international frameworks to local action.
The call found immediate resonance with the inducted AFELL President Cllr. Philomena Tugbe Williams, who highlighted AFELL’s recent achievement in establishing a Juvenile Court, while decrying that “juvenile delinquents are sadly being placed in surrounding jail cells with hardened adult criminals.” She framed this as part of the broader justice gap affecting Liberia’s most vulnerable.
“AFELL Will raise its advocacy and legal representation on the welfare and rehabilitation of juvenile delinquents. Through our advocacy and the assistance of our partners, the Juvenile Court was established in Monsterrado County. Though a significant achievement, juvenile delinquents
are sadly being placed in surrounding jail cells with hardened adult criminals and complain of
horrible detention conditions,” she said.
The recently sworn-in leadership of AFELL includes Cllr. Philomena Tugbe Williams who maintains her role as President, with Cllr. Bowoulo Taylor Kelley serving as 1st Vice President and Cllr. Evelyn Lah Gongloe taking office as 2nd Vice President. The executive committee was completed with Cllr. Sundaiway N. Amegashie as Secretary General, Cllr. Isabel B. Diggs as Treasurer, and Cllr. Tonieh Talery Wiles serving as Chaplain.
Established on February 10, 1994, during Liberia’s devastating civil crisis, the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) has grown into a formidable force for justice and gender equality. Incorporated as a non-profit, non-governmental, and non-political organization under Liberian laws, AFELL was born from the urgent need to protect vulnerable populations when the country’s legal system was in disarray.
At its core, AFELL exists to advocate for the promotion, protection, and advancement of the rights of women, children, and indigent persons across Liberia. The organization fulfills this mission through two primary operational units: its Legal Aid Clinic which provides crucial pro bono legal services, and its dedicated Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) unit that combats the pervasive issue of violence against women and girls.
