The truth is that Liberia has a male-dominated parliament: Only 11 members, representing 10.7 percent, are women while 92 members, accounting for 89.3 percent, are men. The gender gap here is 78.6 percentage points (Political Representation).
But another truth is that women make up 49.6 percent (2,604,171) of Liberia’s 5,248,621 population while men account for 50.4 percent (2,644,450). The gender gap here is just 0.8 percentage points (Population).
The gap between population versus political representation tells a markedly different, unequal, and harsh story as Liberia looks toward 2029. The story it tells is that women constitute nearly half of Liberia’s population, yet they remain significantly underrepresented.
This disparity also echoes an important question: What does this underrepresentation of women in political leadership mean for Liberia and Planet 50-50 by 2030? We shall aim to explore this question in our next edition.
Who’s representing 2.6 million Liberian women in the room right now on Capitol Hill?
I) The Senate (3 women):
1. Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, CPP, Grand Bassa Co.
2. Botoe Kanneh, IND., Gbarpolu Co.
3. Dabah M. Varpilah, UP, Grand Cape Mount Co.
II) The House of Representatives (8 women):
1. Bintu Massalay, CDC, District #1, Grand Cape Mount Co.
2. Ellen Attoh-Wreh, IND., District #3, Margibi Co.
3. Rugie Yatu Barry, CPP, District #1, Montserrado Co.
4. Gbessie Sonni Feika, VOLT, District #3, Grand Cape Mount Co.
5. Julie Fatorma Wiah, CDC, District #2, Lofa Co.
6. Marie G. Johnson, LRP, District #2, Grand Gedeh Co.
7. Moima Briggs Mensah, IND., District #6, Bong Co.
8. Prescilla A. Cooper, UP, District #5, Montserrado Co.
Note: Political party tickets that they were elected on. Counties they represent: Cape Mount (3 women), Montserrado (2 women), Grand Bassa (1 woman), Bong (1 woman), Margibi (1 woman), Lofa (1 woman), Gbarpolu (1 woman), Grand Gedeh (1 woman). Nimba (0), Bomi (0), RiverGee (0), RiverCess (0), Grand Kru (0), Maryland (0), and Sinoe (0).
The third truth is that achieving greater representation of women in the room by January 2030 will also depend on the performance and impact of the eleven (11) women who are already there now, although this is NOT the only determining factor.
Who’s performing, and who is likely to be retained in 2029?
This brings us to a public opinion poll (POP). Except Dabah Varpilah’s seat, all the other ten (10) legislative seats that are currently occupied by women would be contested or up for grab (election) on Tuesday, October 9, 2029. Can Nyonblee, Bintu, Ellen, Rugie, Gbessie, Julie, Marie, Moima, and Prescilla retain their seats? Are they performing? To what extent have they delivered on or fulfilled their campaign promises they made to voters? What impact have their representation had on their respective constituencies and how do their constituents assess their performance so far?
It’s now time for you, the constituents, to have your say. Your responses, voices, and perspectives will also provide valuable firsthand insight(s) into our proposition: What does this underrepresentation of women in political leadership mean for Liberia—and for achieving United Nations Sustainable Development Goal #5: Planet 50-50 by 2030?
A Call to Action:
We call on more Liberian women, who are passionate, patriotic, productive, progressive, transparent and committed to public service, to actively engage in national politics and leadership. Political Parties in Liberia must begin to critically rethink, reform, rebalance, and retool existing strategies, structures, spaces, and standards aimed at encouraging, promoting, and incentivizing greater women’s participation and representation in political leadership. Hillary Diane Rodham Clinton was right when she said, “There can be no true democracy unless women’s voices are heard…” Her message underscores a plain truth in Liberia’s case: There can be no true democracy in Liberia when 49.6 percent of the population or 2,604,171 women is/are only represented by 11 members in parliament or 10.7% female representation.
In our opinion, having a disproportionally male-dominated room often chokes women’s voices and silences much of what they have to offer. Hence, gender inequality deepens.
About The Author: Martin K. N. Kollie is a Liberian activist in exile and former student leader in Liberia.
