MONROVIA-In memory of her enormous contributions to ensuring a peaceful country, on Monday, the Women of Liberia gathered to officially sign the book of condolence for the Late Madam Roseline Toweh, a peace activist and women and girls advocate.
The signing of the book of condolence which opened Monday will continue till the weekend Friday, July 15, 2022.
The ceremony took place July 11, 2022, at the YWCA headquarters in Congo Town.
Many prominent women, including former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olubanke King Akerele, former Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister, Julia Duncan-Cassell, former Education Minister, Evelyn Kandakai, Counsellor, Dr. Yvette Chesson-Wureh among several grassroots women from across the country.
The women in their sad mood at the signing ceremony paid driving tributes to their fallen colleague, describing her as a great loss to the nation. That she was a patriot and nationalist who until her death, preached the message of peace and stood tall for women’s and girls’ rights.
Mrs. Roseline Towe died on June 18, 2022 at the St. Joseph Catholic Hospital in Congo Town. She was the Executive Director of the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA). She was also an Eminent Woman of the Women’s Situation Room (WSR).
She headed the Liberian Women Mass Action for Peace and recently read the position statement of the Women’s Mass Action for Peace, during the closure of a 14-day fast and prayers, which called the attention of the government and other relevant parties to take all necessary steps to preserve the peace.
In her welcoming remarks, the National President of YWCA, Mrs. Helen Bassey, thanked the women for coming, saying Roseline was like a friend to everybody and will be remembered for her role in ensuring that Peace of Liberia is sustained, adding that her outstanding advocacy on behalf of the women and girls of Liberia was selfless.
Madam Helen Bassey was followed by the Forum of Liberian Women Elders, represented by former Foreign Affairs Minister, Olubanke King Akerele, who said the death of Madam Toweh was shocking, barely days after the closure of the Liberia Women Mass Action for Peace fast and prayers, of which the late Roseline Toweh led.
The Chairperson of the Board of the Women’s Situation Room disclosed that a Transient Referral Hub for Women in Crisis at Ma Mary’s will be established in reserving the legacy of Madam Roseline Toweh, she further remarked.
Speaking briefly to the media, the Establishment Coordinator of the Angie Brooks International Centre for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security, Cllr Yvette Chesson- Wureh described the death of the late right advocate as a great loss to Liberia. She said Madam Mrs. Roseline Toweh was an eminent woman from the very start of the war room of the Women’s Situation Room.
She said, “the late Madam Toweh has been with us in several meetings of the WSR concerning the peace of this country. She was always there for the youth which has been her focus. She always paved her way to connect with the youth, she added.
Speaking further, Dr. Chesson-Wureh encouraged the women of Liberia to remember that peace is in their hands, as such, all must together keep the peace of the country, something she noted that Mrs. Toweh fought for.
Frances R. Deigh Greaves, former National Chairman Civil Society Council told the gathering that the late Roseline Toweh was an astute woman who took initiative. Roseline, according to her, was part of many national and international organizations that lifted the voices of women to where it could not reach. She was the voice of the young people, mentioning that she empathized with the young people.
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.