The Executive Director of Women’s NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) Madam Esther Davis Yango has alarmed here that violence against women participating in politics in the country is worrisome.
Madam Yango called for introduction of mechanism to protect women participants in the pending presidential and general elections in 2023.
She made the call during a recent one-day dialogue at the National Elections Commission in Monrovia on the need to provide security women politicians, as Liberians go to the poll next.
According to Madam Yango, some women in politics have complained about alleged treatment from their male counterparts during campaign process.
She also indicated that women’s participation at political party level should be enhanced despite 30 percent proposal for women’s representation on political party tickets.
She said the passage of the New Election Law will go a long way to strengthening women from all walks of life to actively get involved in the country’s democratic process.
She also wants the promotion and advancement of the rights for women and girls through advocacy and policy efforts to enhance sexual reproductive health rights, gender-based violence, women political participation and women economic empowerment in Liberia to be prioritized.
In response during the dialogue, the Commissioner for Oversight/Gender, Civic Voter Education and Training at NEC, Josephine Kou Gaye said the Commission works along with the Ministry of Justice to provide security for every citizen during electoral processes across the country.
Commissioner Gaye stated that the NEC is still working with the Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) to introduce biometric system of voter registration in the pending elections.
She said women’s representation on political parties’ tickets has been considered based in the New Election Law, but it is not been legislated.
She said the Commission is also concern about the plights of people living with disabilities and the elderly, during voter’s registration and vote casting.
According to Commissioner Gaye, NEC plans not just to address plight of the Group of 77, but the entire citizenry during elections.
She said the Commission is awaiting greenlight from the PPCC and passage of the new Election Law to ensure that the biometric system and the 30 percent women’s representation on political parties’ tickets will be implemented or not in the pending elections. Editing by Jonathan Browne
