President Joseph Boakai has received the Liberian ARREST WOMANIFESTO and the Call to Action presented by Atty. Mmonbeydo Nadine Joah and Facia B. Harris at the Women’s Town Hall organized by the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection in collaboration with PASS Women’s Accountability Room.
Speaking on the purpose of the meeting at the start of the town hall, Atty. Joah noted, the legitimacy to engage and respectfully demand inclusion in the national agenda is enshrined in Article 17 of the Constitution of Liberia, which guarantees every citizen the right to petition the government for redress of any kind. She further noted that the inclusion of women in the national dialogue is not only a matter of justice but also a strategic imperative for the sustainable development of Liberia.”
Other speakers included Madam Cecelia Danuweli, Cllr. ToniehWiles, Madam Naomi Tulay Solanke, Madam Josephine Francis, Jodie Reid Seton, and popular Laura Birane Cisse. They also noted the specific differences between men and women in various thematic areas including Peace and Security and Gender Equality calling for the ARREST agenda to be mainstreamed across all thematic areas.
The Gender Minister extended a special welcome to all and is hopeful that the gathering will set a means for many other opportunities and possibilities to ensure gender parity in the national development program of our country moving forward.
Gbeme Horace Kollie said, “We envisioned a process that genuinely strives for an equitable society recognizing that failing to include women in the national priorities will result in a significant gap in various areas of societal development.”
Kollie adds, “Together let us seize this opportunity and champion the collective result to prioritize gender equality and social inclusion in all of our national plans. “I am very confident that through collaboration and dialogue, we can achieve a shared vision of a country where every individual regardless of where they come from can fulfill their potential.”
For his part, President Boakai noted, that he believed in the cause of women because they are patient to get things organized. “How can we afford to leave them? I should know that better because they always want to see things work.”
President Boakai further said that gender equality is not an argument, but an opportunity for the country. “Women don’t think about work as an occupation but means of getting things work for all.” He cautions older women to mentor the younger generation of women and girls.
Despite international human rights agreements, Liberia’s 2023 elections showed women holding only 10.7% of legislative seats, highlighting the country’s underrepresentation in leadership roles. As of June 1, 2024, 1,226 appointments were made, with 83% men and 17% women, with women only 5% in town chiefs, clan chiefs, paramount chiefs, and circuit court judges.
Women from all branches of government including the Chief Justice of the Republic of Liberia, the President Pro Tempore Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence, Senator Dabilah Varpilah, Cllr attended the town hall: Charlyn Brumskine, and many others.
