-Reaffirms Commitment to Peace
MONROVIA – The Women In Peace Building Network (WIPNET) inaugurated a new slate of officials on Thursday, November 13, 2025, marking a significant milestone for the organization. This democratic transition represents a pivotal moment for the network, which has faced significant leadership challenges throughout its 22-year history.
The newly elected leaders were chosen through a majority vote held in October, where candidates put themselves forward based on their interest from across the organization’s membership.
In an induction ceremony, the movement’s senior advocate, Jewel Clark, reflected on WIPNET’s profound legacy. She expressed deep gratitude to Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee, whose leadership mobilized women for peace during Liberia’s civil war. “Through her leadership, we learned that true democracy means being able to pass on leadership and still call those in authority to accountability,” Clark stated.
She recounted the network’s origins following the Accra peace accord in Ghana, where women from across West Africa, including Gbowee, were trained as peace ambassadors. Twenty-one Liberian women, representing both Christian and Muslim communities, then unified under a single purpose. “We created a simple strategy the POP. On Saturdays, we went to the markets; on Fridays, we went to the mosques; and on Sundays, we went to the churches. That’s how our movement began to grow,” Clark explained.
The movement gained prominence through strategic peaceful demonstrations, eventually securing a place at the peace talks that ended Liberia’s 14-year conflict. “We feel we brought peace to Liberia,” Clark said firmly. “And we will not trade that peace for anything.”
During the ceremony, participants raised their right hands and renewed their oath to protect the rights of women and Liberia’s peace, declaring in unison, “I commit to the process, to protect the rights of women and Liberia, so help me God.”
The newly elected President, Madam Korpo Dannis, addressed the assembly, calling for unity and resilience. She emphasized that her administration would be based on collaborative work for the expansion of WIPNET. “The image of the women in peace building network have to be kept for the continuation of peace maintained across the country,” Dannis stated. “I need the support from all members.”
President Dannis explicitly outlined her governance principles, stating that her three-year administration would not tolerate nepotism, discord, or the spread of misinformation among members.
The event concluded with a standing ovation for the network’s new officials and founding members. The newly inducted officers include Korpo Dannis – President, Haja Yatta Kenneth – Vice President, Jenneh Folley – Secretary General, Mama Kamara – Senior Advisor, Madam Mamonnie Banda – Treasurer, and Bettray Brown and Kula.
In a show of solidarity, Cllr. Barbu, Executive Director for the War and Crime Court, also spoke at the ceremony. He urged the women of WIPNET to remain united and avoid actions that would undermine their fellow members. His office pledged to work in line with WIPNET’s mission moving forward.
