-UNDP Gender Specialist Says, Women’s Leadership in Legislature Brings Benefits to Educational and Health Sectors and the Communities.
MONROVIA-The National Elections Commission (NEC), through its Gender Section Thursday ended a one-day Inter-Party Consultative Committee (IPCC) dialogue on the prevention and response to elections violence and violence against women in elections and politics at a local hotel in Monrovia.
Nearly 30 Chairpersons and Senior Executives of Political Parties in Liberia attended the dialogue, held under the theme, Promoting Inclusive and Safe Environment for the Participation of Women in Elections and Politics.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Electoral Support Office in Liberia, and partners with the Governments of Sweden and Ireland, the UN Women and Peace Building Office provided funds for the dialogue held in Monrovia.
NEC Commissioner with Oversight on Gender, Josephine Kou Gaye, officially launching the program, stressed the need for political parties to support women for them to take up leadership roles during the pending 2023 General Elections in Liberia.
Commissioner Kou Gaye clarifies to political parties’ executives that the 30 percent minimum women participation in party leadership, in no way suggests that this participation cannot increase to 70 percent women participation. Speaking for the partners, UNDP Gender Specialist Symphorosa Oundo assured leaders of political parties and the NEC of her organization’s fullest cooperation on increasing female participation in political activities in Liberia. The UNDP Gender Specialist said when women are in the leadership in the Legislature, it brings benefits to the educational and health sectors as well as to the communities.
Alphonso Toweh
Has been in the profession for over twenty years. He has worked for many international media outlets including: West Africa Magazine, Africa Week Magazine, African Observer and did occasional reporting for CNN, BBC World Service, Sunday Times, NPR, Radio Deutchewells, Radio Netherlands. He is the current correspondent for Reuters
He holds first MA with honors in International Relations and a candidate for second master in International Peace studies and Conflict Resolution from the University of Liberia.