By Lewis S. Teh
Medical and POWER Liberia in collaboration with the Coalition of Political Party Women (COPWILL) has ended a two-day workshop for election observers in Monsterrado, Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa, River Cess, and Sinoe Counties.
The workshop was held with support from the UN Secretary-General Peacebuilding Funds through UNWOMEN and UNDP.
The training was mainly focused on detecting and reporting violence against women in politics.
In her opening remarks during the training in Sinkor, Madam Mbalu Winnie Jusu said the training will provide additional knowledge and skills necessary to fulfill a crucial role in ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections.
The head of programs at Medica Liberia explained that election observers and monitors play a key role in upholding democratic principles.
She said they safeguard the integrity of the electoral process, and promote the rights of all individuals, especially women to participate in the political affairs of Liberia.
“Your commitment to independent oversight demonstrates your dedication to a democratic and inclusive society,” Madam Jusu expressed.
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She maintained that throughout the training, the facilitators dug into the essential aspects of monitoring and observing elections, empowering the participants with the tools to make meaningful impacts.
She furthered that the participants’ dedication to ensuring free, fair, and transparent elections is commendable and serves as a beacon of hope for a democratic Liberia.
“Remember, the work does not end here. As you go on, remain vigilant, objective, and committed to the principles of accountability and impartiality,” she urged the participants.
By fulfilling their responsibilities with integrity, she said the participants will contribute to building public trust in the electoral process and promoting a vibrant and inclusive democracy.
“Together, we will work towards free, fair, and credible elections that reflect the will of the people and contribute to a brighter future for Liberia,” Madam Jusu concluded.
For his part, the head of the Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) Atty. Oscar Bloh noted that violence against women in elections and politics undermines women’s political participation.
The ECC boss believes that there has been a major gap in documenting violence against women over the years.
He said election observers have focused a lot on monitoring and observing campaigns, and other activities on election day, but not the issue of violence against women and how it undermines women’s political participation.
He stated that the observers will be trained to identify barriers that hinder women’s political participation, and the types of violence against women, and systematically monitor, track and document violence against women in elections.
“When women are physically or emotionally attacked, they stay away or reduce their participation in politics,” he said.
Atty. Bloh firmly said if women are 49% of the Liberian population, there should be nothing that should undermine their participation.
Facilitating on implementing the VAWiE Protocol, Madam Leisel Talery said the National Elections Commissions and heads of political parties signed a memorandum of Understanding in February 2022 to protect and prevent violence against women in the upcoming elections.
“Violence Against Women in Election and Politics is driven by discriminatory gender norms and men’s desire to hold onto power and maintain the status quo, whereby women are largely excluded from key leadership positions and political power.”
