-Cites Major Win for Gender Equality and Rule of Law
Monrovia, Liberia – The Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) has strongly commended President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. for his unwavering commitment to elevating women to the highest echelons of national decision-making—most notably with the recent nomination of a woman to serve as Minister of Justice and Attorney General, pending Senate confirmation.
The appointment, which would place a woman at the helm of Liberia’s chief legal institution, has been hailed by women’s rights advocates as both historically significant and strategically vital for the nation’s ongoing justice and peacebuilding efforts.
WONGOSOL described the nomination as “especially significant,” emphasizing that the Ministry of Justice occupies a central role in Liberia’s governance architecture, particularly as the country navigates complex transitional justice processes, accountability mechanisms, and the protection of women and girls.
“At a time when Liberia is advancing critical national processes around transitional justice, accountability, access to justice, prevention and response to gender-based violence, and implementation of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, women’s leadership within the justice sector matters greatly,” the organization stated in its official release.
The secretariat underscored the historical contributions of Liberian women in ending conflict and sustaining peace, while noting that women continue to face systemic barriers to justice and remain underrepresented in the very institutions where decisions about peace, security, and justice are made.
WONGOSOL stressed that the appointment carries both institutional and national significance, creating “an important opportunity to further strengthen gender-responsive justice, survivor-centered approaches to accountability, protection of women human rights defenders, access to justice for women and girls, and implementation of Liberia’s commitments under UN Security Council Resolution 1325.”
The organization expressed its readiness to collaborate with the nominee upon her confirmation, pledging to work alongside the Ministry of Justice to advance the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, promote accountability for violence against women and girls, and ensure that women’s voices remain central to Liberia’s peace and security processes.
WONGOSOL also recognized President Boakai’s broader pattern of appointing women to consequential portfolios, including Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Health, Education, Commerce and Industry, Gender, Children and Social Protection, Youth and Sports, and other senior positions within the Administration.
“These are not merely symbolic positions. They are institutions that shape Liberia’s diplomacy, national security, economy, human development, justice system and future,” the statement emphasized.
The secretariat noted that for decades, Liberia’s women’s movement has called for women to move beyond participation at the margins to meaningful representation at the tables where national decisions are made. Increasing women’s representation in these spaces, WONGOSOL said, “demonstrates that women are not only beneficiaries of development and peace; women are leaders, decision-makers and architects of Liberia’s future.”
While commending the progress made, WONGOSOL encouraged President Boakai to continue building upon this momentum by expanding women’s representation across all levels of government, including deputy and assistant ministerial positions, diplomatic missions, public corporations, county and local government structures, boards and commissions, and the wider justice and security sector.
The organization also called for deliberate attention to the inclusion of young women, women with disabilities, rural women, and women from historically underrepresented communities.
“Political will for women’s leadership is demonstrated not only through promises, but through deliberate decisions that give qualified women the opportunity, authority and institutional support to lead,” WONGOSOL affirmed.
As the nation awaits the Liberian Senate’s confirmation hearing, WONGOSOL expressed hope for a transparent process that would allow the nominee to present her vision, priorities, and preparedness to lead this critical national institution.
“When women are meaningfully represented in justice, peace and security institutions, Liberia’s democracy and peace are strengthened,” the organization concluded.
