Naymote Ends One day Youth Political Advocacy dialogue On Mitigating VAWiE

Liberia-March 24, 2023: Naymote Partners for Democratic Development recently ended a one day youth political advocacy aialogue aimed at mitigating violence against women in elections and politics using the VAWiE Protocol ahead of this year’s Presidential and Legislative elections.

VAWiE protocol calls for political actors and individuals to reframe from all acts and threats that hamper or prevent women from freely participating in elections, as women’s political participation is key to the Democratic growth of any country.

On February 12, 2023, the National Elections Commission (NEC) and Political parties executives with support from UN Women signed the protocol.

Naymote recent dialogue brought together over seven five (75) young people from diverse backgrounds including Political parties and aspirants, civil society organisations and the media to discuss how the VAWiE Protocol can be use to mitigate violence against women as Liberia approaches election.

Speakers came from the National Elections Commission, Liberia National Police and the Liberia Election Observation Network LEON highlighting the National Framework on Gender Equality in Liberia, prospects and challenges as the country goes towards the 2023 presidential and legislative elections.

In remarks at the start of the dialogue, UN Women Program Specialist for Women Political Participation Madam Tsega Gebreneskel praised Naymote for providing the space that enable diverse group of young people to gather and discuss the future of their country. She further pledged UN Women’s continuous support to the development of young Liberians.

“I’m always excited to see young people coming in one space to talk about issues that affect them, thanks to NAYMOTE-Liberia for making such an effort to work with Youth Groups, Aspirants, Media, Schools, Civil Society, and different individuals from cross section of the country.”

She noted that “ Violence Against Women in Liberia can not be overemphasized, it is even more concerning and rampant with the new media where women are abused and violated with little or nothing is done to address it, there is more to be done than is why you have gathered”.

According to her, the event is key because it brings together actors that are active in politics and young individuals who are the future of the country.

For her part, the Executive Director of the Young Women Political Council of Liberia Mrs Laura Korvah lauded Naymote for such impactful dialogue saying “Today is a wonderful day, and I am very happy to talk to you about young people’s political participation, as young people, we can create and destroy, as such, we should be the one to build our democracy.”

Mrs Korvah also noted that she and her team have initiated a campaign called “The legislature is not for men alone” geared towards enhancing the political and leadership ambition of young women across Liberia.

Representing the Liberia National Police on a penal, the Chief of Community Service, Samuel G. Ford said the police acknowledged the role women of Liberia play in bringing peace and stability to Liberia concerning the Comprehensive Peace Accord during the 14 years of conflict.

According to an LNP officer, the United Nations Security Council 13-25 Resolution clearly States that “Women’s Political participation should be highly supported void of harassment, intimidation, and assault,” thus re-committing the Liberia National Police to supporting women especially those in politics based on the VAWiE protocol.

Also making remarks, the senior gender officer at NEC, Manakaby Donzo added that the VAWiE protocol is basically about supporting the full participation of women and people with disabilities in the electoral process in Liberia.

For his part, virtually impaired advocacy and research officer at the Liberia Elections Observation Network (LEON) Francis Sibley said his institution is in full support of the VAWiE Protocol and will work with stakeholders and partners to ensure violence against women is mitigated especially as Liberia draws closer to the Presidential and Legislative elections.