Improving Women Political Participation in 2023 Election.

Article Written By: E. Prosper Quayee

Grand Gedeh County: As Liberians prepare for the scheduled October 10 general elections, clamour for women representation in elective positions is gradually increasing in Grand Gedeh County.

Convincily, Political Parties of Liberia (PPL) and National Elections Commission (NEC) on May 11, 2023 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) base on Section 4.5 of the Elections Law, of Liberia which governs the nomination of candidates for elective and appointive positions in the upcoming elections.

Days after signing the MoU, the United Nations in Liberia, through the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) commended Political Parties and National Elections Commission for such progress made thus far.

The partner described the agreement as significant milestone towards greater inclusion of women in the 2023 elections as it strengthens the commitment of political parties to ensure not less than 30 percent of women on their candidate listings.

In addition, Grand Gedeh County Freedom of Information Network (GFOINET), a local Civil grouging in Grand Gedeh County Coordinator Mr. Dixson CIO Leabah, wants female Apirants and women of the county associate themselves with other political parties as it’s detrimental to stick to one party in the name of loyalty.

Leabah encouraged women to actively work together in achieving a common goal ahead of this year’s general elections and called on them to continue to demand for representation in the Liberian Legislature.

“Continue pushing for representation in the House of Legislature, do not relent in efforts, get into the communities and tell the voters what you are capable of doing when elected in your district and County, do not be ashamed to tell the citizens that you can be like them”. GFOINET Coordinator asserted.

However, since the creation of the county in 1964 citizens have not had a female Legislature, while all females who contested in previous elections have not come closed to winning in any national election.

Also speaking, female Apirant of electorial district #3 and former Assistant Superintendent for Development of Grand Gedeh, Madam Betty Breeze Doh said if any of them are to be elected in this year election, there is a need to put aside their differences and unit as a union. She said she resigned as Assitant Superintednt for developement of Grand Gedeh based on the presidential mandate because she want to be elected for in district #3 of the County.

“Even women representation of our county in the local goverance structure is at the lowest percentage, am saying this because I was the only female who got appointment from the President of the Republic in 2018 as Assistant Superintedent for development and it used to be very embarrassing to me being alone among the men”.

“When I was there, time for decision making. the men always used to over power me because I was alone, so this means that we women and other partners have to join enforces for the implementation of the 30% increment in political participation. The law is there but not effective”. Aspirant, Betty Breeze Doh alleged.

She however urged her fellow women not to be exhausted until inclusive governance is achieved in Grand Gedeh especially in elective positions. The former Zwedru City Mayor called on all critical stakeholders especially the media to alway discuss on inclusive political participation, while she also emphasised that a truly democratic practice anywhere in the world is founded on women’s active involvement in governance. She encouraged her colleaques to get in the race to enable them vote in October 10 elecection

For her part, President, Rural Women of Grand Gedeh Chapter, Madam Jesadeh Barzon, said Liberia, like many democracies, faces the challenge of identifying and implementing strategies for leveling the numbers of women in national governance and decision-making capacities. Entrenched traditional norms, cultural practices, limited education of women and institutional frameworks have hindered gender equality in Liberian politics. She said attempts by the global community to mitigate these inequities have been widely ineffective.

She added that Liberia ranks 90th in the world in female representation in parliament, with only 13.5 percent. One of the bills, the affirmative action bill seeks to amend section 223 of the Constitution, to ensure women occupy at least 35 percent in appointive positions.

The rural women leader urged aspirants to leverage their social circles and recognise opportunities, as fund raising is not just about election but networking, which is key in ensuring success of a female candidate.

CPP County Chairman Jimmy Collins said women are the fulcrums around which social, economic, and more importantly political activities of a nation rotate.
He added that women themselves need to do more in political participation to ensure accomplishment of common goal that will also bring about free, fair, inclusive, credible and acceptable general elections.
“In recognition of the many international conventions of women political participation in politics, the the CPP is ensuring that women rights to free and fair participation in the electoral process is protected, secured and preserved”.

“It is imperative that we embark on efforts that will promote and protect women’s interests, security, and create a violence-free atmosphere for massive participation in the election to entrench the culture of inclusive and participatory democracy that meets the minimum requirements of fairness and credibility.” Grand Gedeh County CPP Chairman concluded.

Meanwhile, female presenter of Smile community radio identified the media as critical partners for female politicians to continually engage with relevant. She urged them seek platforms that would project and help them connect with people in their constituencies. Journalist Scott tasked aspirants to regularly engage the media on topical issues, as this is essential in creating an image to the people they want to represent. Smile radio broadcast Journalist advised aspirants on regular engagement with women at grassroots, to partner with women in media and ensure that they remain relevant in the media space.

Females aspirants vying for electoral representative positions in the County are made up of four. They include; Marrie Johnson, of electorial district #2, Betty Breeze Doh of district #3 while Ophelia Boley and Jeziah M. Quiyea, are expected to politically battle within the same electoral district #1 of Tchnie, Grand Gedeh County.

Grand Gedeh County had 78 Voter Registration Centers within 3 electoral districts. However, the preliminary results showed little over 63,000. Of the over 63,000 there is 37% made up of women in the County who have gone to registered to vote from the just ended 2023 BVR in Grand Gedeh County.