The Liberian feminist forum holds fifth annual convening in celebration of its eight years of existence. The convening which is being held under the theme: Liberia and the State of Women: Bridging International Gap, Building Stronger Feminist Movement and Healing brought together 43 women to reflect on the impact of feminism on their lives, tell their collective stories, and welcome new sisters to the forum. The four-day convening will focus on feminism 101, the journey of the Liberian Feminist Forum, unpacking the general perceptions around feminism, while looking at the current trend and political economy of Liberia with the respect to the state of women rights and feminist movement building. Other key issues to be considered during the convening, include sexual reproductive health and rights, economic justice, security, protection, and prevention of sexual and other forms of violence against women access to justice and healing, documentation, and storytelling.
Moderating the opening session Madam Gradia Walker Bou Hussein said as feminist, it is important to have a safe space to discuss issues that are relevant while taking up some time to strengthen their self-confidence and celebrate the gains they have made so far “this session primarily serve as a boding session. We bonded as feminist, looking at how our names are attached to our identity, strengthening our self-confidence, and discuss issues that are relevant to us”
Making welcome remarks and introduction of the program, madam Abla Gadegbeku Williams asserted that as women who called themselves Liberian Feminist, it is important to reflect on the challenges in their governance structure focusing on generational change. “I see generational change, how the younger women see rights of women collectively, and today we welcome our younger sisters who may choose to join us in this fight for power and control by the patriarchal system” according to her, the journey of the feminism forum has been a learning experience for lot of women who called themselves feminists. “I also see this journey as a learning experience because we all came to this forum. We didn’t know what feminism meant. We were challenged in terms stigmatization, discrimination, and today others are bold to say I want to join to fight for the rights of every woman and not some women”
For her part, Madam Cerue Konah Garlo who led the reflection session stated that it is important as feminist and women rights advocates to reflect on their journey, of their personal life, and how the feminism journey has impacted them as individuals, their families, communities and of course as a country. She also recognized that as Liberia goes to election in 2023, it is also important that women at the forum find a way to support women in the upcoming legislative and presidential elections. “Hopefully we will talk about supporting women in the upcoming elections while we are here regardless of our relationship and county. Let us support more women in the upcoming elections”
Miss Ayekoo Noelle Reeves who signed up as a new member of the forum said she feels great being a part of the space because most of the time girls are stop from going to school and they face lot of differences therefore for being a part of the feminist space will enable her help other women. “I feel it is a safe space where we can advocate for women equality as a student it is very much important for all of us because there are lots of discrimination”. I am a part of the LFF because I want my voice to be heard.
In closing, a member of the technical working group of the Liberian Feminist Forum Madam Aisha Kamara Kolubah said, at the convening is where the forum discusses critical issues affecting feminism in Liberia and other issues concerning development and key moments in the country. Madam Kolubah said there is no way a person can discuss feminism without discussing other issues that are affecting human rights generally “We also take up time to discuss development issues that not only affecting women but everyone in general, recognizing young women that are into women rights advocacy”
She said women rights advocacy did not start with the Liberian Feminist forum, there were women who made sacrifices to set the stage so we that there were lot of women who came an did all of the background and today we can call ourselves feminist. We also want to recognize the young women that are coming with on the energies.
The Liberia Feminist Forum was co-created in 2014 by Liberian feminist with support from the African women development fund, Kvinna Till Kvinna, Action Aid International, and Medica Mondiale with not only an overall goal to advocate for transformation of all social relations or power that exploit oppress and marginalize any set of people but serve as an advocacy knowledge production and movement building platform with the opportunity to grow and become more effective in negotiating omen rights and space in Liberia. The fundamental purpose of the forum is to increase critical feminist political analysis within the ongoing discords on gender equality and human rights in Liberia.
