LIBERIA – The Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) with funds from the Irish Aid, Swedish International Development Agency, and UNDP is working with six CSOs and 12 UN Women’s established Women Peace Huts in Grand Bassa, Grand Gedeh, and Gbarpolu counties and with 1 CSO in Sinoe County to strengthen the capacity of these targeted groups on Transformative Leadership and Peacebuilding.
WONGOSOL is taking this initiative as Liberians gear up for the 2023 general and Presidential Elections, under the UN Women’s supported project Supporting Community Engagement on Women’s Political Participation Project/LESP.
According to a release issued over the weekend under the signature of Madam, Esther Davis-Yango WONGOSOL Executive Director, It also hosted dialogue sessions over the weekend to promote women’s participation in politics at the grassroots levels with the aim of the engagements to awaken the momentum of communities’ women to get involved in decision-making processes, building strategic partnerships, alliances, and seeking commitments from relevant stakeholders and actors to increase women’s political participation at the local and national levels.
Working with local government and traditional leaders in these counties is having fruitful results as these local heads have pledged support to involve women in decision-making processes at all levels in the counties. Traditional barriers and lack of funding support amongst others were highlighted during the engagements as key challenges that hinder women’s political participation.
In an interview with some participants, in Gbarpolu Mr. Marvin Sirleaf, Town Chief of Sappimah Town, in Bundi Clan, Bopolu District, Gbarpolu County and pledged “to support our women get involved in politics.” For his part, the Fiscal Affairs of the County, Mr. Anthony Yorkor pledged to work closely with the women CSOs and Women Peace Committee, highlighting that his political party the CDC has recognized the importance of women’s inclusion in politics and has amended its party framework document to have not less than 40% women in leadership.
He also cautioned the women in various political parties including CDC to push for key leadership positions in political parties and not only serve as “women’s wings” and also serve as Clan Chiefs, Paramount Chiefs, Commissioners and etc. Only women can be “Chairladies,” he said.
The women in all of the sessions in the counties have expressed interest in contesting for leadership positions.
“Thanks to the UN Women for sending WONGOSOL to awaken us, I am going to be the next General Town Chief for Gbama District” Janet Richardson. “I will not be silent anymore on issues that affect the community.” Garmai Kokulo.
Madam Darbah Marshall called on the women of Gbama District to hold together. She informed the session that if the Women hold together, they won’t strive for leadership positions.
The women also cautioned the members of the Liberia National Legislature to see a reason to amend the new election law, with a high emphasis on Section 4.5 of the law. If this is done sooner, it will provide the opportunity for women more women to contest in the 2023 elections. High during the dialogue sessions was the issue of drugs.
The women are calling on the government of Liberia through the national legislature to make the drug law strong.
They informed the team that they’re afraid of what will happen during the 2023 elections with the huge intake of illegal substances by young people.
“We need everyone on board, in order for our mama Liberia to be developed; from the local and national levels, everyone has a saying; women, men, young people, and other minority groups should be given the space to participate in Liberia governance processes,” says WONGOSOL Executive Director, Esther Davis-Yango.
WONGOSOL is a network of several organizations committed to ending violence against women and achieving gender equality in Liberia with a vision for a society in which government, politics, business, civil society and the daily lives of people are free of all forms of discrimination against women.
