Paynesville — The Executive Director of the Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia has issued a strong call to action for young women across Liberia to rise into leadership, stressing the urgent need to dismantle systemic barriers limiting women’s participation in governance and decision-making.
By Patience M. Jones- patiencejones@frontpageafrica.com
Speaking Tuesday at the official launch of the Academy for Women’s Leadership and Empowerment, held at the Naymote Partners for Democratic Development office in Paynesville, outside Monrovia, the WONGOSOL Executive Director described the initiative as a timely intervention at a critical moment in Liberia’s development.
She noted that although women constitute nearly half of the country’s population, they occupy only about 11 percent of seats in the National Legislature.
“This is not because women lack intelligence or the capacity to lead,” she emphasized. “It is because the systems around us have not been designed to fully include us. The barriers are real.”
According to her, entrenched cultural and social norms continue to discourage female leadership, while economic constraints—particularly limited access to financial resources—make political participation more difficult for women.
She further highlighted challenges including violence, intimidation, and exclusion in political spaces, as well as the disproportionate burden of caregiving responsibilities placed on women without adequate structural support.
Referencing findings from the Civil Service Agency gender assessment, the Executive Director disclosed that women account for only about 23 percent of the government workforce and approximately 15 percent of appointed positions.
“These figures show that when women are missing from leadership, it is not by chance. It is the result of systems that must be challenged and transformed,” she said.
Describing AWLE as more than just a training initiative, she called it “a platform for transformation” aimed at grooming a new generation of women leaders equipped to influence policies and reshape governance structures.
She stressed that promoting women’s leadership is not only a moral obligation but also essential for national development, justice, and the protection of rights.
The Executive Director also referenced key legal and policy frameworks supporting gender equality, including the 1986 Constitution of Liberia—particularly Article 11, which guarantees equality before the law—as well as the National Gender Policy and ongoing efforts to develop a new National Action Plan on United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325.
At the international level, she pointed to instruments such as the Maputo Protocol and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women, noting that while these frameworks exist, the key challenge lies in implementation.
“These frameworks are not the problem,” she said.
“The gap between commitment and implementation remains our biggest challenge.”
Delivering a motivational message to participants, she urged them to embrace leadership with confidence and determination.
“You are not here by chance. You represent a generation that must rise differently—moving from participation to power, from presence to influence, and from silence to voice,” she said.
Reaffirming WONGOSOL’s commitment to supporting women’s leadership journeys, she concluded with a strong call to action:
“Do not wait to be invited into leadership. Prepare yourself, step forward, and take your place, because Liberia cannot move forward if women are left behind.”
The Academy for Women’s Leadership and Empowerment (AWLE) is designed to bridge gender gaps by providing practical, high-impact training and fostering a strong network for emerging and active women leaders across Liberia.
Meanwhile, Madam Luopu Garmi Blackie, Dean of the Department of Gender Studies and Interdisciplinary Research at the University of Liberia, underscored the importance of strengthening women’s political participation during the opening of a Gender-Based Advocacy Training.
Addressing participants, partners, and stakeholders, she welcomed attendees on behalf of the College and expressed appreciation to the organizers for creating a platform to enhance women’s advocacy skills and political engagement.
She emphasized that the initiative provides an opportunity for women to strengthen their voices and contribute meaningfully to decision-making processes at community and national levels.
Madam Blackie noted that the training comes at a critical time, as women across Liberia continue to face barriers such as gender stereotypes, limited access to information and networks, intimidation, unequal power dynamics and resource constraints.
She stressed that these challenges not only hinder individual progress but also weaken democratic representation by limiting diverse perspectives in governance.
She described the training as a strategic intervention to promote inclusive governance and ensure women’s voices are reflected in key areas such as law-making, peacebuilding, budgeting and public accountability.
She added that equipping women with practical advocacy tools will enable them to navigate political spaces with greater confidence and effectiveness.
The Dean highlighted three key commitments guiding the training: fostering a respectful and inclusive learning environment, promoting gender-aware and evidence-based advocacy and strengthening partnerships and networks.
She emphasized that advocacy must be grounded in lived experiences, informed by data, and supported through collaboration with civil society, media and community stakeholders.
She further pointed out that women’s political participation is closely linked to broader gender justice issues, including gender-based violence, discrimination, and harmful cultural practices and stressed the importance of engaging men as allies in advancing equality.
Encouraging participants to take full advantage of the training, Madam Blackie urged them to actively engage, share experiences and develop practical strategies applicable within their communities. She also called on stakeholders to sustain support beyond the training through mentorship, policy engagement and resource provision.
She recognized the efforts of organizations, including the Advancing Young Women’s Leadership and Political Participation in Liberia and WONGOSOL, for their continued advocacy and commitment to promoting women’s leadership.
In closing, she congratulated the organizers and partners and officially declared the Gender-Based Advocacy Training for Women’s Political Participation in Liberia open, expressing hope for productive discussions and meaningful outcomes.
