A group of women under the Liberian Women Organization have stressed the need for a full implementation of the Gender Quota MOU, signed to protect women participation in national elections.
The women said the National Elections Commission (NEC) has failed continuously to ensure that the Memorandum of Understanding is implemented, so as to make the democratic governance of the country tolerant of all genders.
They believe that the NEC, after signing the MOU with political parties, should fine those in non-compliance, setting precedence for the respect of section 4.5 of the elections law.
Speaking on behalf of the women organization, the Program Manager and acting Executive Director, Hawa Jembell, said that the women organization is very concerned about the low level of female aspirants who have completed their candidate registration process with the NEC.
According to her, they are calling on political parties to implement the
Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) they signed with NEC on Section 4.5 of the Elections Law of Liberia, on May 11, 2023.
She continued that, according to the official updates released by the NEC, as of July 10, 2023, appallingly, only 85(15.9%) of the 533 aspirants who have registered to contest in the October 2023 legislative elections are women.
“25 political parties, including coalitions, have signed the MOU, committing to have not less than 30% women on their candidate lists. In addition, some political parties set voluntary candidate quotas of 40%,” she said.
Madam Jembell further explained that the MOU was necessary in the absence of the electoral reform bill, which had a mandatory 30% quota and fines for non-compliance, adding that this will be the third time in Liberia’s democratic dispensation that reforms for equal participation do not get to be signed into law ahead of elections.
“Liberian women have expressed interests in legal and policy reform to advance women’s political participation for more than 20 years and have been continually let down by elected officials and political parties who do not serve their interests,” she stated.
She continued that political parties have continually failed to “endeavor to ensure” that not less than 30% are on their list. Between 2005 and 2015, not a single party met the 30%.
“In 2017, just one of 24 parties complied with this agreement. Despite the legal mandate for the National Elections Commission (NEC) to require political parties to demonstrate an “endeavor to ensure” gender representation, the NEC has been unsuccessful in holding political parties accountable or compelling them to provide evidence of compliance or programs aimed at fulfilling this requirement,” she said.
She noted that this is unacceptable within a democracy, especially considering that women comprise half of the population. Ahead of the 2023 Elections, it is crucial that we break away from business as usual and take significant steps towards promoting women’s political participation.
“Political parties have continually demonstrated that they do not have any interest in strengthening their internal democracy and promoting equal political participation. Additionally, the persistent trend of a declining proportion of women being included in the candidate rosters of political parties, signals a lack of progress in this area,” she maintained.
This circumstance has the potential to restrict women’s engagement in politics and may compel female candidates to opt for less favorable options.
Moreover, this dire circumstance serves as an indication that the extent of
Women’s involvement in the Legislative body may potentially decrease to a level below 11% before the October 2023 elections, unless immediate action is taken.
“In light of this development, a gathering of over 50 national Women-based, Civil Society Organizations in Liberia was promptly organized to deliberate on the matter. The emergency meeting took place at the NEC Conference Hall on Friday, July 7, 2023,” she stated.
For her part, the Newland Executive Leader of POWER Liberia, Madam Beatrice, emphasized that all political parties which have signed the MOU and set voluntary quotas to uphold these commitments act on their commitments before the end of the candidate registration process on Friday, July 14, 2023.
She suggested that the political parties adopt social protection policies for women desirous of running on their ticket and reduce the financial obligations associated with candidate nomination.
Madam added that the NEC should develop monitoring tools to ensure political parties’ compliance with the existing laws in the absence of a mandatory law holding political parties accountable.
“Women’s political participation, representation, and leadership, remain cardinal to Liberia’s democracy and development,” she concluded.
Receiving the press statement on behalf of the NEC, Commissioner Teplah Reeves said the women’s petition will be taken to the Chairperson of the National Elections Commission under advisement.
