SAWABENU is advancing access to justice across rural districts through initiatives that raise legal awareness, empower women, and foster cooperation between statutory and customary justice systems, make court intervention that released numerous prolonged pretrial detainees, among others. Between August and November 2025, SAWABENU reached over 1,800 community members and stakeholders in rural districts, equipping them with the knowledge and legal support needed to understand and protect their rights in the criminal justice system.
Legal Awareness Meetings
SAWABENU conducted nine Legal Awareness Meetings across 3 counties in Liberia. These activities took place in Bong County (Sanoyea, Gbartala, and Bong Mines), Grand Bassa County (Edina, Compound 1, and Owensgrove), and Nimba County (Sokopa, Kokopa, and Saclepea). The learning engagements brought together over 1,000 citizens and local justice actors, focusing on educating community members about their legal rights, responsibilities, and duties, as well as the roles of statutory and customary justice systems and how to access available justice services.
Justice-on-Wheels
SAWABENU’s Justice-on-Wheels initiative provided free legal aid across Bong, Nimba, and Grand Bassa Counties. A team of eight experienced volunteer lawyers offered legal representation, assisted pretrial detainees, facilitated hearings, and held stakeholder meetings. Their work in various magisterial courts achieved immediate results: 13 detainees were released, cases were resolved, and citizens gained crucial knowledge of their rights. Complementing these in-person services, the lawyers leveraged radio programs to explain legal procedures, address live questions, and report progress on prolonged pretrial detention cases. In rural areas of Margibi and Montserrado, the Liberia National Police also participated in the broadcasts, addressing citizens’ concerns and helping strengthen trust between law enforcement and the communities they serve.
Empowering Women
Through its Legal Refresher and Mentoring Sessions, SAWABENU reached over 240 women leaders and community groups across 12 districts in five counties. Participants gained practical knowledge of criminal and civil law—including arrest rights, court procedures, family law, child custody, and property rights—as well as the interplay between statutory and customary legal systems. Women are already putting this knowledge into action: in Edina, a women’s leader used her training to challenge abusive customary actors and prevent the illegal detention of two young people, demonstrating tangible community-level impact. Many women have since organized routine meetings to continue refreshing their legal knowledge through virtual engagement with SAWABENU lawyers.
Strengthening Collaboration through Dialogues
SAWABENU conducted 12 face-to-face dialogues across 12 districts, bringing together magistrates, police commanders, chiefs, and other local stakeholders to clarify roles, reduce barriers, and strengthen collaboration between statutory and customary justice systems. These dialogues are helping to bridge gaps, minimize interference, remove obstacles, and foster greater understanding and cooperation between the two systems.
Together, Sawabenu is fostering stronger connections between communities and the justice sector, promoting awareness, access, accountability, mentorship, dialogue and local empowerment, reshaping understanding reducing conflict and strengthening trust in Liberia justice system. Through the dedication of our volunteer lawyers, community justice advisors and strategic radio partnerships, rural communities are gaining the legal knowledge they need and with direct assistance via our hotline to understand and protect their rights. We are proud to advance this critical initiative in partnership with The Carter Center and SIDA, whose support is helping make justice more accessible and inclusive across Liberia.
Bong Mines Women in legal refresher and mentoring session
Justice Stakeholders discusses at dialogue in Compound 1
Radio talk show session on Radio Kwatekeh with volunteer lawyers
Cocopa Magistrate addresses legal awareness meeting
Justice on Wheels engagement at the Gbarnga Magisterial Court
Scene at Owensgrove Women's Legal Refresher
This material is been produced with the generous support of The Carter Center, through a grant by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida). The contents are the responsibility of Sawabenu and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Carter Center, Sida, or the United States Government.