CDC ADOPTS 40% WOMEN POLITICAL PARTICIPATION QUOTA
By Staff Writer
Congo Town, Liberia: In an effort to ensure increased women political participation and leadership, the ruling Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) has adopted a resolution requiring 40 percent political participation in its leadership structure as well as Legislative Representation in the upcoming 2023 General and Presidential Elections for women across the party.
The quota is intended to get more women involved in politics and national decision making. “We are encouraging President George Weah to appoint more qualified women leadership positions to close gender gap in government.
The decision was reached recently during the 17th anniversary celebration of the Congress for Democratic Change. The party was established 2005 before it’s merger in 2017.
CDC Executive Committee further called on cdcians to promote and protect women for leadership and politics.
During the December 8, 2020 senatorial Elections, the ruling coalition for Democratic Change failed to produce female candidates to compete for the elections, something pundits believe it differs with Pres. George Weah’s quest to support women political leadership.
However, the Liberia Election Observation Network (LEON) has applauded the CDC on the occasion of its 17th anniversary resolution compelling a 40 percent quota for women in leadership positions in the party and on the party’s list of candidates during elections.
In a statement issued recently, LEON’s Head of Secretariat, Mr. Augustine S.M.Tamba, indicated that the CDC is the first party to mandate a strong and voluntary women quota in all its political affairs and called on the party to go beyond the resolution by enshrining women political participation principles in all its legal framework.
LEON also wants practical steps taken to actively promote the passage of the draft amendments to Section 4.5 (a, b, & c) of the New Elections Law which is currently under consideration by the Senate.
It can be recalled that the political leader of the CDC, President George Weah, during his delivery of the State of the Nation address on January 25, 2022, committed his government to making women participation in electoral process a top priority. “I will make women participation in the electoral process a top priority, I will also continue to support openness for more women to contest for seats in the Legislature; as well as other key positions in Government.” Pres. George Weah said.
LEON called on the CDC and the current government to make women political participation real for the majority of Liberian women who as of now, can only dream of parity in gender representation in political structures in the country.
The Legislature is yet to pass on the New Elections Law 4.5 pointing out the gender quota which calls for not less than 30% and more than 70% gender for party list submission. A conference Committee from both houses are scheduled to review the disagreements from either houses on the bill before it’s final passage.
Women constitute 12% of the Legislature with two (2) women in the Liberian Senate and nine (9) women in the lower house.
