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During the armed conflict in Liberia, rape and other forms of sexual violence were used as a weapon of war. An estimated 40 percent of the Liberian population, and seventy-five percent of female fighters, were affected by sexual violence during the 14 years of civil conflict in Liberia. Although weapons were laid aside in 2003, the wartime practice of sexual assault continues. In present-day Liberia, rape and other forms of sexual violence are still one of the most reported serious crimes, presenting a serious threat to the lives of women and girls. This book points to disarmament, demobilization and reintegration process (DDR) as an opportunity within the peacebuilding process to mitigate consequences of sexual violence from the conflict and promote the discourse of the international community against impunity of rape and other forms of sexual violence.

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Ms. Gönc holds a Masters in Peace and Security Studies from the University of Hamburg. She lives in Berlin and works as a free-lance journalist and a long term election observer for the EU.

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