Gender & Disability Workshop

A BRIDGE modular training which selected from the modules, Gender Equality and Elections & Disability Rights and Elections was conducted from Monday, 30^th March ^to Wednesday, 1^st April 2026, at Ganta, Nimba County, Republic of Liberia in West Africa. Based on participants feedback and in line with the  BRIDGE Program standards, the training was considered very successful. This course represented the second of three planned cohorts, developed from a concept presented by the National Elections Commission of Liberia to the United Nations Development Programme/Liberia Electoral Support Project (UNDP/LESP), and UN-Women.

A total of twenty-five (25) participants, comprising ten (10) women and fifteen (15) men, attended the training. These participants are staff members of the Commission, most of whom serve as elections magistrates or managers, across various counties in Liberia.

Key highlights of the agenda, in addition to the BRIDGE methodologies, included establishing a clear understanding of the concepts of sex and gender, including their defining attributes; and examining how socially constructed roles contribute to these distinctions. Participants also identified and analyze barriers that hinder the participation of women and persons with disabilities in social, political, and public life. Also, practical approaches to reducing and eliminating social barriers were discussed as participants explored approaches considered correspondingly helpful in lowering or removing said barriers.

A video on the BRIDGE Website under caption ‘Rights Under the UN-CRPD’ was also viewed by participants discussing disabilities and barriers.

Discussion on violence against women in elections and politics was linked to findings from various international conventions and international treaties. Further, the validated Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Policy of the National Elections Commission (NEC) of Liberia was integrated into the course delivery. Topics covering the policy context, key principles, protection concerns, inclusion and disability rights were presented using reading, group discussions and group work.

The training was delivered by one National Accrediting Facilitator and four (4) Workshop Facilitators, who collaboratively facilitated the second of the three cohorts.

The primary objective of the training was to enhance the knowledge and capacity of Liberia Electoral Management Body (EMB) staff to administer elections using the gender and inclusion lens. This is expected to contribute to higher standards of electoral management, improved professionalism and the conduct of more credible elections, while ensuring inclusivity for persons with disabilities.

Additionally, the workshop provided opportunity for BRIDGE facilitators to gain further experience in planning and presenting BRIDGE programs.