A discussion led by the eminent women of Liberia along with youth leaders and chairladies as well as town/paramount chiefs drawn from 20 communities across Montserrado and Bong Counties has concluded in Gbarnga City.
The two-day discussion derived several recommendations from the locals held under the auspices of the Angie Brooks International Center (ABIC) Women’s Situation Room (WSR).
Drug abuse is one of the serious negative social vices in the country which has been difficult to curtail since the end of the 14 year long civil war; as this has been astronomically increasing by the day with some youth and adolescents at school going ages being addicted.
And with the resulting end of drugs addiction being the main perpetuation of violence, ABIC fears that the 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections could be more violent than ever if nothing tangible is done to tackle the menace.
It is predicated upon this that the anti-drugs and violence campaign is being sustained by (ABIC) through community leaders and key stakeholders’ dialogue.
The two-day mediation dialogue was in furtherance of the implementation of the project titled: “Sustainable and inclusive peace in Liberia through promoting women’s leadership and participation in civic and political life and their strengthened role in conflict resolution.”
According to the Establishment Coordinator of ABIC and the founder of WSR, Yvette Chesson Wureh, the mediation includes an embodiment of additional 4,000 persons from those communities.
“When you become enlightened, you must strengthen your brothers and sister,” stated the ABIC boss.
As women remain more essential in maintaining Liberia’s peace during electioneering periods, ABIC’s boss urged women and youths at the dialogue not to only use the training for them rather, they ensure others are educated.
Madam Chesson-Wureh revealed that women under the auspices of WSR will be trained to the standard of the United Nations to observe electioneering periods in Liberia and internationally.
She pointed out that countries around the world either gain or lose during election periods, and as such, it is important for women to play pivotal role as observers during such period.
Cllr. Chesson-Wureh in an inspiring tone charged the women to make maximum use of the knowledge gained to save Liberia’s democracy.
“This training is not for yourselves but for your children and the society. It is not what you gather but what you scatter that adds value to your life. The more knowledgeable you are, the better you can save your country’s democracy,” she added.
ABIC boss noted that a constitutional referendum was May 7, 1946, thus ushering in a new constitution on December 10, 1946 which was preceded by a change in the Constitution of Liberia by the Legislature granting women voting rights. Since then, women have greatly impacted the development and maintenance of Liberia’s peace positively both local and international thus giving Liberia an outstanding pride on the international stage amongst its counterparts.
In relations to the political violence in communities and the danger it poses to the security of the state, the participants recommended that there should be stakeholders’ dialogue and more trainings for elections staffers.
The participants are also calling for the establishment of rehabilitation centers and vocational training centers to give skills training and empowerment opportunities to at-risk-youths which are referred to as “zogos” as a means of tackling the threat.
Discouraging the use of illicit drugs and the danger it places on humanity, and such can be curtailed in communities, the participants women urged parents to observe their children’s behavior at home and report drugs dealers in their respective communities to relevant authorities and as well as organize awareness to educate non-users and users of illicit drugs on the dangers it poses to society.
“If Angie Brooks can grant our request then, it will educate election workers on the importance of violence prevention before, during and after electoral processes,” the participants mentioned.
They also urged community dwellers not to allow themselves to be trucked or allow people from other communities to be trucked from one area to another.
Meanwhile, one of the prominent woman of the women situation room, Rev. Judy E. Stryker, asserted that some of the factors responsible for political violence and illicit drugs abuse are the lack of proper monitoring and mentorship for children, poverty and the lack of collective approach to fight against illicit drugs sale, drugs use and drugs abuse.
She then motivated the community dwellers, civil society, religious group, government and other relevant stakeholders to put on a more holistic approach in combating drugs abuse and political violence.
