Sister Aid Liberia (SALI), a prominent women-led NGO, has unveiled its groundbreaking 2024 report titled Beyond Limits, presenting a bold roadmap to enhance women’s political participation in Liberia.
The report was launched on December 10, 2024, in Monrovia during the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, under the theme: “From Talk to Action! Let’s Join Hands to End Violence Against Women and Girls to Achieve Beijing +30.”
The launch brought together Liberian women leaders, international partners, and civil society actors. SALI’s acting Executive Director, Amelia Siah Siafa, emphasized the critical need for increased female representation in governance.
“Women possess the skills, intelligence, and networks to lead effectively. With collaboration, we can break barriers and even outperform our male counterparts in leadership,” Siafa stated. She praised President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for his gender-sensitive appointments and called for further progress, advocating for increased representation of women in leadership roles ahead of the 2029 elections.
The Beyond Limits report exposes the persistent societal and systemic challenges that hinder women’s political participation. Key obstacles include limited financial resources, delayed campaign starts, and societal stereotypes portraying women as “weak-minded.” Despite these barriers, many respondents acknowledged women’s strengths in organization, compassion, and representation.
Cyber violence and inadequate campaign resources were identified as major hurdles, with 52.89% of respondents admitting a lack of awareness about violence against women in politics. This highlights an urgent need for robust civic education and advocacy to address these challenges.
SALI’s report outlines actionable steps to enhance women’s participation in politics, including: Establishing autonomous programs to empower women in leadership, Leveraging resources from organizations like UN Women to support female political candidates, Protecting women candidates throughout the electoral process, Aligning funding cycles with electoral timelines to ensure sustainable programs.
Irish Ambassador Gerard Considine, a guest speaker at the launch, underscored the importance of collective action to achieve gender parity.
“We must aim beyond a 30% gender quota and work toward true equality with a 50/50 representation. Men in leadership have a responsibility to champion this cause,” he stated.
The event also celebrated the achievements of trailblazing Liberian women leaders, including former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, Senate Pro Tempore Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, and Foreign Minister Sara Beysolow Nyanti. These leaders shared their experiences, challenges, and advice to inspire emerging female politicians.
SALI’s ongoing efforts to empower women are already yielding results. The organization’s Leadership Clinic was pivotal in the rise of Montserrado District #5 Representative Priscilla A. Cooper. Supported by the Irish Embassy and UN Women, SALI’s advocacy and research continue to shape Liberia’s political landscape.
