Gender Equality and Elections: Inclusion, Capacity Development, and Prevention of Electoral Violence

“We learned a lot” – the most frequent statement at the Gender Equality and Elections BRIDGE Workshop.

On 11 to 13 December, in Margibi county, representatives of the women’s wings of 16 political parties, two CSOs, and NEC discussed challenges of Gender Equality and Elections. The participants, mainly chairs of the women’s party wings, assessed the workshop as one of the rare opportunities for them to exchange and learn. The discussions focused on identifying the barriers and alternative measures political parties can implement alongside gender-responsive policies and legislation. Possible solutions were reviewed along the electoral cycle approach, focusing on steps to encourage voluntary internal party mechanisms.

“We learned a lot” was the most frequent feedback. Public speaking and effective communication were subtopics that triggered the biggest attention.  All participants have committed to debriefing the rest of the members and recruiting and involving more women in politics. Understanding that temporary measures such are gender quotas can only speed up the process, they will request meetings and work together with the legislators on improved legal regulations.

The workshop contributed to building strong links and a network of interparty women groups which will continue their joint efforts to support the appropriate implementation of the gender quota and increase the participation of women participation in political and public life, increasing the number of women candidates and increasing elected and women on a leadership position.

A joint UNDP-UN Women Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) Project, “Promoting Inclusive Political Participation and Elimination of Violence Against Women in Politics” (PIPP), complements the UNDP Governance Portfolio efforts in support of the NEC and electoral stakeholders as well as Liberian Institutions to promote women political participation and prevention of violence against women in elections and politics (VAWiE-P).  The activities are co-financed by Swedish and Irish funding.