By Grace Q. Bryant
The African Women Leadership Network (AWLN) Liberia Chapter yesterday concluded a one day strategic women meeting to provide guidance for young women to enable them overcome political, social, and economic barriers for the upcoming general elections.
The meeting which was held at Musu Spot in Congo Town also brought together young women organizations and prominent women from diverse backgrounds to create awareness against violence against women in leadership and as well an understanding of women transformational leadership, and expand its membership through networking with other women organizations.
Giving an overview of the network, former Education Minister, Dr. D. Evelyn S. Kandakai, revealed that AWLN Liberia’s aims to design and implement partnership and strategies that enable women in Liberia to fully exercise their right to participate in leadership.
Dr. Kandakai revealed that the network seeks to ensure women representation in social, economic and political life, through training and mentoring of young women by having young women and girls integrated into all programs and to prepare them for leadership roles as well as for a greater impact on sustainable development in Liberia.
Presenting on the topic: “What is African Women leader’s networks,” Atty. Facia B. Harris said AWIN also seeks to combat violence against women in elections and any act that targets women candidates, voters and activists and as well suppresses women’s political participation.
Atty Harris added that any act that suppresses women’s political participation and leadership is anti-democratic and undermines democracy, equality and the principle of free and fair elections.
She asserted that in Liberia, women face various forms of violence including physical assaults, threats, and discrimination because of the perception that women should not be in leadership; something that she believes undermines democracy.
At the same time, Liberia’s former Foreign Minister, Ambassador Marjon Kamara added that the African Women Leadership Network Liberia chapter was founded in December, 2019, to build and buster women transformational leadership skills and practices.
Ambassador Kamara added that the network also provides transformation of discriminatory norms, values, practices and public perceptions in support of women leadership, by increasing access to resources for women leaders and their organization or businesses and as well influence the reform and implementation of the formal institution process, policies for women leadership.
The AWLN is a continental women organization that consists of vibrant network of accomplished women leaders with outstanding trails in the political, business, academia, science, community and general leadership arenas, as well as a pool of accomplished, talented, innovative young leaders and professionals, with notable achievements, striving to reach their leadership potential and be impactful.
