‘Her Voice Liberia’ Launches Political Opportunities For Women Project
Liberia: Her Voice Liberia (HVL), a non- Governmental and non-profit organization operating in Liberia recently launched a women driven project that endeavors to promote political, electoral leadership and opportunities for women, young women, women with disabilities and other marginalized groups to obtain equality and equity in Liberia’s political processes, in conditions of freedom, equity, security and dignity.
Presenting an overview of the project at the official launch, the Head of Program/Project Coordinator, Mr. Rufus Jackson Loop, stated that the key impact of the project is to ensure an increased political appetite among women, women with disabilities and first time women voters.
He said the project will be implemented in three phases, in Montserrado, Bomi, Cape Mount, River Cess, Margibi and Grand Bassa.
According to him, phase 1 will focus on consultation, election laws and fund raising, while phase two will focus on compliance (Legal guidelines for contesting elections, laws regulating the media, political parties and civil society actors during elections.
Simultaneously, phase three will focus on gathering legal evidences during elections and processes to file legal complaint to NEC.
The project which is being sponsored by the people of America will have 50 direct beneficiaries and 50,000 indirect beneficiaries (Young Women 18-25).
Moreover, he alluded that they will work with 21 women of the various women and act of violence against them will be documented and reported to the international community.
The long term goal is to ensure that whatever that is good for men is also good for women) gender equality)
At the end of the training, it was made known that Her Voice Liberia and its partner will develop a simple guide on the processes and share it with women leaders and aspirants.
The project which is tagged, “Political Opportunities for Women Empowerment and Resilience (POWER), was officially launched mid Friday, March 24, 2023, at Sinkor Palace, Tubman Boulevard, Liberia.
In a keynote speech prior to the official launch of the project, Dr. Yah Donlah Gonwat-Gono stressed the significance of Women’s role in society, and their potential to do whatever they desire to do. She believes if Liberia is truly a democratic state, the involvement and participation of all persons must be accepted and encouraged.
Not only in politics, she said women are under-represented at all levels, and she thinks women are not being prepared from an early stage. Amongst some of the many factors, she highlighted suppression in the name of training.
Dr. Yah Donlah Gonwat-Gono is poised with the thought that anybody can lead once they are qualified and competent, as such, women should be afforded the space. “There’s nothing women can’t do, we have to encourage and train them and we need to step forward and by stepping for it, we will be taking charge of our own dignity, we need to continue to motivate them”, she added.
The launcher emphasized that Women must take steps towards their goals, as they rally around for other supports. “We have to now learn looking at what have other women done, who they were, their contribution.”
She wants women to support each other and stand up for our right and don’t allow people to define them.
As a major partner to the project, the Executive Director of National Commission on Disabilities (NCD), Daintowon Domah Pay-Bayee emphasized the essentiality of the involvement of persons with disabilities in national politics and decision making.
She’s poised with the ideology that discrimination against persons with disabilities is unorthodox, as she added that they too should be afforded the medium to participate in every sector.
Moreover, she expressed the Commission’s commitment to the process and encouraged the need for them to work together in order to ensure that their presence are well in other areas.
Madam Pay-Bayee thanked her voice for the partnership to ensure women political participation and the inclusion of women with disabilities.
Several local and international partners graced the launching including Democracy International. It’s special representative Eliza Dahn lauded Her Voice for the initiative.
In a bid to assure the INGO’s commitment to women political participation, Eliza stated that the INGO is currently effectuating more efforts aimed at increasing women political participation, as she strategically pointed out their election and democracy activities, which endeavors to support women political participation and accountability through efforts of the government of Liberia
She said Democracy International is concerned about Increasing the leadership of marginalized groups in political and other significant processes at local, and national levels.
In addition, she flagged another quest of the institution that seeks to improve literacy, and the independence of the National Elections Commission, as they are also working with other CSOs across the country.
She believes women political participation faces significant barriers, as such it requires the collective efforts of all women, to ensure that their space is safe and secured.
In a special state at the occasion, NEC Gender Director, Leisel Talery emphasized the Commission’s interest in seeing an increased women participation both in politics and other national spaces.
She believes NEC has done a lot more to ensure a safe space for women involvement in politics.
Amongst scores of other efforts made by the Commission to ensure a safe space for women, she highlighted the Inter party committee IPCC and other cardinal steps to ensure that women are place in higher positions at patties level.
“NEC is there is there, if you have a female candidate that’s willing to contest, we will help through the nomination process feel greed to visit our office”, she added.
Conspicuously, the SGBV unit of the Ministry of Justice, said the initiative is good and Thames the organization for the efforts.
“This is a very important initiative because honestly speaking, these groups have been marginalized “
She believes women of all group regardless of their physical condition deserves to be involved in very important processes.
She said women and other marginalized groups too have the right to vote, and they have the right to get involving other activities at all levels.
She admonished women to abstain from discrimination, especially against persons with disabilities.
For his part, the Executive Director of IREDD, Matthias Yeanay thanked Her Voice for the initiative, and assured his organization’s commitment to the process as they are also working with scores of other women CSOs to ensure stronger women political participation.
He believes the current number of women in politics and the Legislature is not encouraging, as such more efforts is needed to ensure an increment.
Her Voice Liberia (HVL) is a non- Governmental and non-profit organization founded in 2014 in response to maltreatment of women and children, and violation of their rights and other practices, which have been alarmingly wide spread and prevalent since the Liberian Civil War.
The establishment of Her Voice, is from the background of the high increase of violence meted out against women and children in Liberia.
She admonished women to abstain from discrimination, especially against persons with disabilities.
From their end, the Executive Director of IREDD, Matthias Yeanay thanked Her Voice for the initiative, and assured her commitment to the process as they are also working with scores of other women CAOs to women political participation.
He believes the current number of women at political is not encouraging, as such more efforts needs to be applied to ensure an increment.
Atty. Bowoulo Taylor Kelly, the Executive Director of (APHRG) and a steward of Her Voice Liberia, applauded the USAID and other local and international partners for considering the organization to implement the project.
She assured Her Voice Liberia commitment in ensuring that the beneficiaries of the project acquire the necessary tools that will equipped them to aspire at national and international level.
She acclaimed their international partners, government agencies and other groups that have been effective in the process.
She thanked all of the members of their team for their effortless commitment and time that their project will be impactful.
Her Voice Liberia (HVL) is a non- Governmental and non-profit organization founded in 2014 in response to maltreatment of women and children, and violation of their rights and other practices, which have been alarmingly wide spread and prevalent since the Liberian Civil War.
The establishment of Her Voice, is from the background of the high increase of violence meted out against women and children in Liberia.
