By Patrick N. Tokpah (contributor Bong)
The Liberia Peace Building Office in collaboration with the Ministry of Internal Affairs has kicked off a two-day workshop on strengthening women’s participation in elections and politics in Gbarnga, Bong County.
The Liberia Peacebuilding Office (PBO) at the Ministry of Internal Affairs was established in January 2009 to ensure that its full functions relate to peace and reconciliation including coordination, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting on Government’s peace and reconciliation programs, projects, and initiatives.
It also provides advice to the Government and develops policies, programs, and strategies bordering on peace and reconciliation.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the workshop in Gbarnga, Bong County on February 13, 2023, the Executive Director of the Liberia Peace Building Office, Edward K. Mulbah said the two days’ workshop is intended to enhance women’s political participation in politics ahead of the 2023 General and Presidential Elections.
He noted that although milestones have been achieved, there has been little progress in women’s political participation, leadership, and representation in national and local governance.
Mr. Mulbah asserted that there’s a need for inclusive gender participation in politics in Liberia, stating that the percentage of women in the legislature has fallen to a lower percentage.
The Executive Director of the Liberia Peace Building Office emphasized his entity’s commitment to promoting gender equality and women empowerment in Liberia through capacity building.
He called upon political parties to lead and foster a common agenda to promote women’s political participation and take advantage of the 30 percent gender quota for political party candidates, as Liberia is preparing for the 2023 national elections.
Mr. Mulbah indicated that Liberia has made important strides to advance the rights of women and girls over the past decades through legislative reforms and targeted programs to eradicate discriminatory barriers and harmful practices despite challenges.
“As we go towards the elections, the PBO together with UN Women, NEC, NAYMOTE, MIA, believes in the cause of promoting women’s leadership through the 2023 elections,” Mr. Mulbah added.
Participants of the two-day training were drawn from Nimba and Bong Counties.
For their part, some participants of the workshop lauded PBO and its partner for organizing such a unique training in the county.
The participants at the same time described the workshop as an eye opener for them ahead of the 2023 elections, and have vowed to utilize the knowledge acquired over the two days in their various communities and counties at large.
