Liberia’s ‘struggle for rice and rights’ has not merely been about political liberation; it has also been about freedom and civil liberties for all Liberians. But because the country has tacitly been a patriarchal in nature from time immemorial, feminism has come key dimension of the struggle, even today. While Liberian males have been playing some role in ensuring gender equality and emboldening women take their rightful place in society, the actual frontrunners have actually been a number of females of the country who put their lives, resources and expertise on the line. Though the struggle is not yet over, there are those who are beating the chests for a role played and relegating the stewardships of others. But Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor would not let anyone underrate her standing in Liberia’s feminist struggle. She issued a rebuttal reacting to another longtime prominent Liberian woman, as The Analyst reports.
One of Liberia’s eminent longtime women advocates recently posted on her Facebook page an opinion in which she picked at the sitting Vice President of Liberia, Madam Jewel Howard Taylor. That opinion of Miatta Fahnbulleh doesn’t seem pleasing the Liberian Vice President who, in a statement, “Setting the Records Straight”, has collaterally responded.
Describing Madam Fahnbulleh’s Facebook post as “irate”, VP Taylor indicated that it took her great courage to respond to someone she calls “Big Sister” but was compelled to do so “about a supposedly fake clarion call for ‘Women’s political Support to other women’ on my person.”
The Liberian Facebook said: “I read with utmost dismay, an uninformed opinion written by Auntie Miatta Fahnbulleh as she is affectionately called,” said Madam Taylor who added that she does not normally respond to mere opinions, “but comments coming from such a Woman of her [Fahnbulleh’s] stature, age and experience can easily influence perceptions of others by spewing misinformation.”
The Liberian Vice President asserted that she has chosen to respond publicly since Madam Fahnbulleh attempts to cast aspersion on her credibility and political career she fought to build and jealously guard over the past 21 years.
“I have chosen this medium to set the records straight as proof of my selfless service to humanity and my commitment to the fight for Gender Equality,” she said. “History records my career as a strong female politician, who has broken many glass ceilings and kept the fire burning in order to remain a Positive Role Model and Mentor; for African women in general and Liberian women in particular.”
She said as she was penning her response to Ms Fahnbulleh, “I am struggling to understand, what is the driving force behind my Big Sister’s emotional outburst in the public space; to the point where she questions my support to women over the last 16 years and labelled my persistent call for women to support each other as being fake.”
In setting the record straight, Madam Taylor said she was compelled to provide information to Sister Miatta on the passionate work she had done over more than 21 years to date.
“In so doing, please note that it will be impossible at the least; to list all my interventions in support of Gender Equality and my work in the Women’s Movement in this short article; and so, I will provide the highlights of my career for her information and education,” the Liberia Second Citizen noted.
She enumerated her achievements in the country’s feminist struggle, stating that at the age of 33 as First Lady of Liberia, she championed and lobbied for the creation of the Ministry of Gender for Liberia, which is now called the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
“I also created an NGO called the National Humanitarian Task Force, which provided food, humanitarian and medical services to women and children from 1999 to 2003. We visited every displaced camp and catered to emergency health care for pregnant women,” the Liberian Vice President said. “In 2005, I campaigned on more inclusion of females in the democratic space of Liberia; and joined the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for President movement in the 2nd round of the elections.”
VP Taylor further recalled that from 2006 thru 2017, as a ranking female member of the Liberian Senate, and the First Female Senator of Bong County, her assignment for those many years included ensuring that legislations for the Political and Economic Empowerment of Women and girls were legislated.
She said key amongst her achievements were the amended to the National Election Laws; establishment of the Women’s Legislative Caucus, regulations mandating opportunities for Girls in Education; the amended Local Government Law; the Domestic Violence Laws; the Rape Law; laws giving women the right to participate in bids for government contracts of 30% Minimum, and fought to include amendments to the Domestic Violence Law against FGM; and much more.
Madam Taylor added: “During my tenure of Senior Senator, I lobbied for and supported many females to become Legislators; key amongst which was Senator Geraldine Doe Sheriff of Montserrado County amongst many others.”
“I also established the Jewel Star Fish Foundation in 2000, to provide educational, leadership, mentoring and empowerment opportunities for thousands of girls across Liberia. This NGO has stood the test of time and is still active and impactful today. Grooming the next generation of Liberian Female Leaders to carry the baton to the next level. I have also gone beyond this call of duty to support many other initiatives, both at home and abroad.”
She concluded: “In closing, let me state that my passion for Women’s Economic and Political empowerment comes from the lessons from my parents; and the need for equality at all levels. This is not a passing phase for me, it is my life’s work. I remain committed to being an advocate and investor in this movement as long as God gives me strength. It is key to note, that this journey requires the efforts of ALL WOMEN OF GOOD WILL. For it is not “equal giving, but equal sacrifices” which will make this collective dream a reality.”
“Sister Miatta, my question to you is – where is your record, in your field of work?” VP Howard Taylor questioned Miatta Fahnbulleh. See below the full text of Jewel Howard-Taylor’s Rebuttal.
Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor’s Rebuttal to Auntie Miatta Fahnbulleh
Setting the records straight: a rebuttal to Auntie Miatta Fahnbulleh’s irate postings on facebook about a supposedly fake clarion call for “Women’s political Support to other women” on my person
I read with utmost dismay, an uninformed opinion written by Auntie Miatta Fahnbulleh as she is affectionately called. I don’t normally respond to mere opinions, but comments coming from such a Woman of her stature, age and experience can easily influence perceptions of others by spewing misinformation. I must admit, that it took me great courage to respond to a Big Sister in this public manner. But on hindsight, I have chosen this path, given her attempt to cast aspersion on my credibility and political career which I have fought to build and jealously guard over the past 21 years. I have chosen this medium to set the records straight as proof of my selfless service to humanity and my commitment to the fight for Gender Equality. History records my career as a STRONG FEMALE POLITICIAN, who has broken many glass ceilings and kept the fire burning in order to remain a Positive Role Model and Mentor; for African women in general and Liberian women in particular.
As I pen these words, I am struggling to understand, what is the driving force behind my Big Sister’s emotional outburst in the public space; to the point where she questions my support to women over the last 16 years and labelled my persistent call for women to support each other as being FAKE.
In setting the record straight, I am compelled to provide information to Sister Miatta on the passionate work I have done over more than 21 years to date. In so doing, please note that it will be impossible at the least; to list all my interventions in support of Gender Equality and my work in the Women’s Movement in this short article; and so, I will provide the highlights of my career for her information and education.
- As a 33 year old First Lady of Liberia; I championed and lobbied for the creation of the Ministry of Gender for Liberia; today called the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.
- I also created an NGO called the National Humanitarian Task Force, which provided food, humanitarian and medical services to women and children from 1999 to 2003. We visited every displaced camp and catered to emergency health care for pregnant women.
- In 2005, I campaigned on more inclusion of females in the democratic space of Liberia; and joined the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for President movement in the 2nd round of the elections.
- From 2006 thru 2017, as a ranking female member of the Liberian Senate; and the First Female Senator of Bong County; my assignment for those many years included ensuring that legislations for the Political and Economic Empowerment of Women and girls were legislated; key amongst which were the amended to the National Election Laws; establishment of the Women’s Legislative Caucus, regulations mandating opportunities for Girls in Education; the amended Local Government Law; the Domestic Violence Laws; the Rape Law; laws giving women the right to participate in bids for government contracts of 30% Minimum, and fought to include amendments to the Domestic Violence Law against FGM; and much more.
- During my tenure of Senior Senator, I lobbied for and supported many females to become Legislators; key amongst which was Senator Geraldine Doe Sheriff of Montserrado County amongst many others.
- I also established the Jewel Star Fish Foundation in 2000, to provide educational, leadership, mentoring and empowerment opportunities for thousands of girls across Liberia. This NGO has stood the test of time and is still active and impactful today. Grooming the next generation of Liberian Female Leaders to carry the baton to the next level. I have also gone beyond this call of duty to support many other initiatives, both at home and abroad.
In closing, let me state that my passion for Women’s Economic and Political empowerment comes from the lessons from my parents; and the need for equality at all levels. This is not a passing phase for me, it is my life’s work. I remain committed to being an advocate and investor in this movement as long as God gives me strength. It is key to note, that this journey requires the efforts of ALL WOMEN OF GOOD WILL. For it is not “equal giving, but equal sacrifices” which will make this collective dream a reality.
Sister Miatta, my question to you is – where is your record, in your field of work?
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