2. I am a associate prepared nurse working towards my bachelors degree. I work full time as an RN at the St. Cloud Hospital. I will complete my course work in May 2011. I have been married for 21 years. We have three children, one daughter in-law and one grandchild. Some things I like to do are ride motorcycle, boat, garden, cook, hike, and spend time with my family. Carla
3. Is a small country in Africa about the size of Ohio. The population of Liberia is about 3.49 million. There are 16 ethnic groups that make up Liberia’s indigenous population. Americo-Liberians are descendants of freed American slaves and they make up less then 5% of the population. From 1989-2003 one of Africa’s bloodiest civil wars was fought with more than 200,000 lives lost. One million other Liberians were forced into neighboring countries as refugees. Liberia
4. Life expectancy for females is 62.64 years Fertility rate is 6.02 children born per women. Infant mortality rate 100.63 deaths per 1,000 live births. Literacy rate for females is 22% compared to males which is 54%. Women comprise the majority of Liberia's work force. 90% of Liberian working women work in agriculture, street vending/petty trading or as “market women”. Liberian Women
5. There are no laws against; Gender discrimination Women married under traditional law are considered their husbands property. If their husbands die they do not inherit any of the property or do they retain custody of their children. Ethnic discrimination Only persons who are “Negro or of Negro descent” may be citizens or own land. Female genital mutilation In Liberia it is restricted to Types 1 and 2 Type one involves excision of the clitoral hood maintaining the clitoris and labia minora. Type two involves removal of the prepuce and glans clitoris together with adjacent parts of the labia minora. Liberia Laws
6. Domestic abuse is illegal but it continues to be a wide spread problem. The government does not enforce this law successfully. The maximum penalty for domestic abuse is six months. If domestic abuse is reported it typically is viewed as simple or aggravated assault. Domestic Abuse
7. Rape continues to be a significant women's’ safety concern in Liberia. The government is inefficient at enforcing this law as well. The law does not criminalize spousal rape. Of the recent 240 rape cases that were reported (six months) 129 of them were prosecuted. Sentences for rapists vary from seven years to life imprisonment. Rape
8. There are no laws prohibiting sexual harassment which is identified as a major problem in both schools and work. Prostitution is considered illegal but it continues to be a wide spread problem. There is limited access to health care and/or family planning information especially in the rural areas of Liberia. Traditional Liberian laws allow the husband to have more then one wife. Additional Liberian women's concerns
9. Although education is “free” many schools mandate informal fees are paid therefore limited children are able to attend. Child abuse and sexual assault against children continues to be a concern. A recent report states 66% of girls between the ages of 10 and 19 had been raped. Young girls and women engage in prostitution for money, food, and school fees. Because of the 14 year civil war many children live on the street either because they were separated from their parents or their parents are dead. Other challenges
10. In 2005 Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became Africa's first democratically elected female president. The government of Liberia has been relatively stable since 2005. President Sirleaf has been making progress with the support of various donor organizations to redevelop Liberia. In 2005 A Truth and Reconciliation Commission was established to investigate and report on human rights violations that occurred in Liberia from 1979-2003. Liberia
