Dissemination and Implementation Gaps in Policy Efforts to Prevention and Responses to Female Statutory Rape: A Case Study Analysis of the 2006–2018 Liberian Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Referral Pathway

Abstract

Abstract In recent decades, development policy research has increasingly turned to the field of dissemination and implementation (D&I) science for improving policy adoption and sustainability toward health and gender equity. The Johnson Sirleaf administration prioritized reforming national rape laws and launching the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Referral Pathway to mitigate institutionalized sexual gender-based violence targeting vulnerable girls. Applying a D&I framework, this study explores key D&I issues hindering effective utilization of the Pathway to prevent and respond to female statutory rape. We present the findings from a 2018 mixed-method field study. A total of 35.1 percent of young women experienced unreported early sexual activity legally categorized as statutory rape. Most perpetrators held positions of trust, including 38 percent working in school environments. Additionally, a qualitative analysis of data from a literature synthesis and key informant interviews explores in depth the reasons behind identified D&I issues. Findings indicate that the top-down intervention was hurried in initial phases of exploration and adoption, leading to cracks in later implementation and sustainability. There was insufficient demand among county and community stakeholders to utilize the system. Additionally, governmental capacity was constrained, including dependency on external resourcing, overburdened public services, poor policy dissemination at decentralized levels, low investigation and prosecution rates, and distrust in the value and effectiveness of the formal legal process. This analysis highlights the need for global developmental policy efforts to better explore mechanisms to authentically incorporate bottom-up feedback from street-level bureaucrats and community stakeholders.