Customized Gender Equality and Elections BRIDGE Modular workshop for Liberia Multi-stakeholders

Liberia Convenes High-Level Workshop to Advance Women’s Political Participation

Representatives from civil society organisations (CSOs), women’s rights groups, gender advocates, and key government institutions convened in Monrovia for a three-day capacity-building workshop aimed at strengthening women’s political participation and enhancing coordination for gender equality in Liberia.

Jointly organised by UN Women and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the workshop brought together stakeholders from the National Elections Commission (NEC), Law Reform Commission (LRC), Women’s Legislative Caucus of Liberia (WLCL), and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP). The event formed part of the Liberia Electoral Support Project, supported by the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden, and implemented by UNDP in partnership with UN Women and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD). The project worked closely with NEC to promote inclusive, transparent, and accountable democratic processes.

The workshop was facilitated by international experts Rindai Chipfunde Vava, a BRIDGE Facilitator from Zimbabwe, and Zage Filiposki, UNDP Liberia Electoral Capacity Strengthening Specialist. It also featured technical input from Maarten Halff, Senior Political Affairs Officer at the UN Electoral Assistance Division in New York.

Sessions focused on building the advocacy and leadership skills of women-led CSOs to effectively champion gender equality and inclusive governance. Key themes included women’s participation in politics, international and national legal frameworks such as CEDAW General Recommendation No. 40, electoral systems, and Temporary Special Measures (TSMs) like gender quotas. Participants engaged in practical exercises on advocacy tools and strategies, culminating in a collective reflection to set priorities and explore mechanisms for sustained CSO coordination.

Speaking at the opening session, Commissioner Josephine Kou Gaye of the NEC described the initiative as “a decisive step towards a more inclusive and democratic Liberia where women’s voices are heard and respected.” She urged participants to view the training as “a collaborative journey to advocate for a more inclusive democratic society,” and reaffirmed NEC’s commitment to enforcing laws that promote gender inclusion. “Inclusion is a must,” she emphasised.

Representative Ellen Attoh-Wreh, Chairperson of the WLCL, echoed the call for stronger civil society engagement ahead of the 2029 elections. “Continuous coordination is essential to ensure the political will for increased women’s participation,” she said.

Cllr. T. Celestine H. Howard of the LRC highlighted the need for practical political and campaign management skills, noting that “achieving a gender quota alone is not enough to ensure equality in political representation.”

In her remarks, Katherine Green, Chief Technical Advisor of the UNDP Liberia Electoral Support Project, described women’s political participation as “both important and topical” as Liberia considered electoral reforms. She reaffirmed the commitment of UNDP and UN Women to supporting Liberia’s national goals for gender equality and inclusive governance. “As Liberia enters a new electoral cycle, this is a pivotal moment to shape long-term outcomes. Your collective action will be more powerful if you work together to amplify your message,” she said.

The closing ceremony was led by Ms Comfort Lamptey, UN Women Representative, and Mr Louis Kuukpen, UNDP Deputy Resident Representative. They thanked the organisers and partners for a timely intervention and encouraged participants to continue advocating for increased women’s political participation, which at the time stood at just 11% in the National Legislature.

Participants described the workshop as an eye-opening experience, citing the valuable insights gained on gender quotas, international standards, and effective advocacy strategies. The event concluded with a renewed commitment to building a united front for gender equality in Liberia’s political landscape.