As a means of strengthening coordination among women, the Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) has held a one-day consultative meeting with the Women Legislative Caucus of Liberia to promote the Liberian women’s agenda.
The meeting brought together representatives from various women’s groups, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, and prominent women leaders, funded by UN Women, and the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation.
The purpose of this one-day meeting was to advocate for increased gender equity in government appointments and leadership roles.
The primary goal of the engagement was to secure at least 30% representation of women in both national and local government positions through targeted lobbying and advocacy efforts.
During the meeting, WONGOSOL highlighted concerning trends in women’s political participation in Liberia.
They emphasized that women’s representation in the National Legislature has decreased from 15% in 2006 to below 11% in 2024.
According to WONGOSOL, despite Liberia’s commitment to gender parity through international agreements such as CEDAW, the Beijing Platform for Action, UN Resolution 1325, and the Maputo Protocol, progress remains stagnant.
The women’s group stated that local government representation is also notably low, with women holding less than 11% of statutory positions.
WONGOSOL informed the Women Legislative Caucus that the representation among town chiefs, paramount chiefs, and clan chiefs is even lower.
The engagement was well-attended by influential women legislators, including Grand Cape Mount County Senator Dapah Valplah (representing Caucus Chairperson Senator Pro-Tempore Nyanblee Kangar-Lawrence), Bong District #6 Representative and Caucus Co-chair Moima Briggs Mansah, Montserrado District 5 Representative Priscilla Cooper, and Gbapolu Senator Gbotoe Kanneh.
WONGOSOL highlighted the review of the New Elections Law and the need for Section 4.5 to enhance female representation.
Support for legislative bills aimed at eliminating harmful traditional practices, including FGM/C, and advancing public health.
Advocacy for mandatory gender quotas and legal reforms to ensure gender equality.
The meeting also addressed the Women Legislative Caucus’s role in supporting the decentralization of government and how this could impact local elections and appointments.
It was emphasized that increasing women’s representation in local government roles is crucial.
Obtain updates on the status of the proposed New Elections Law.
Discuss the Women Legislative Caucus’s efforts in advocating for the reintroduction and passage of the vetoed New Elections Law.
Assess the Women Legislative Caucus’s influence on local elections and appointments.
Review ongoing legislative efforts related to women’s rights and public health.
Schedule regular meetings with the Women Legislative Caucus to ensure continuous dialogue and collaborative action on gender-related legislative issues.
The engagement underscored a commitment to bolstering women’s leadership and ensuring gender equity within Liberia’s governance structures.
WONGOSOL and the Women Legislative Caucus remain dedicated to advancing these objectives through ongoing advocacy and legislative support.
