BY Precious D Freeman
The Angie Brooks International Center (ABIC) for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security in partnership with ZOA-Liberia with funding from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund has held a one -day dialogue and networking session with women in politics ahead of the 2023 general elections.
The dialogue was under the flagship program of the Women Situation Room (WSR) with the project titled; Sustainable and Inclusive Peace in Liberia through Promoting Women Leadership and Participation in Civic and Political Life and their Strengthened Role in Conflict Resolution.
Over twenty (20) political parties including the ruling establishment Coalition for Democratic Change, the Unity Party, Liberty Party and among others were represented by over 200 women ranging from top to lower positions.
During the dialogue which was held yesterday in the Cecil Dennis Auditorium of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the participants discussed challenges they are faced with in their respective parties, and the risk it imposes on them ahead of the next year elections.
They recommended a need for awareness that will educate men about their importance in their political journeys.
The women urged political leaders to observe the behavior of their mates in dealing with females by giving them full respect and attention.
They called for the holding of more workshops before their elections in an effort that will enhance and give knowledge on election matters.
On political violence in communities and the danger it places on the security of Liberia, the women also called for investigation to be done in the series of unknown killings in the country and stressed a need for government to be serious in combating the ongoing waves of violence before the elections.
Speaking at the end of the session, the Chair of the Board of Director at ABIC, Madam Olubanke King- Akerele, called on women in Liberia to stand tall in their quest to improve the country and called on Liberians to vote wisely for a better future despite what politicians keep doing by getting at those who elected them to power.
According to her, women are the back bones of the country and as such they should do something positive for their children’s future.
For her part, coordinator of the Angie Brooks International Center and founder of the women’s situation room, Cllr. Dr. Yvette Cheeson Wureh, in a motivational tone, urged the women at the dialogue to work together for the common good of the country, but frowned on the series of political violence across the country ahead of the elections.
According to her, with what is unfolding, it’s time for political leaders and women’s groups to hold together in preaching a slogan that says ‘ Let’s stop violence’.
Madam Wureh also wants the committee that was set up to investigate the July 26 blood-bath between supporters of the CDC-COP and members of the Students Unification Party, a University of Liberia campus-based political party to be done correctly in an effort to create a smooth path for the upcoming elections next year.
