By: Stephen G. Fellajuah
The Angie Brooks International Centre (ABIC) for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security in partnership with ZOA with funding from United Nations Peace Building Fund on Thursday, March 24, 2022 organized an International Women Day post peace march for women in Bong County aimed at increasing women successful participation in the 2023 presidential and general elections.
According to reports from Bong County, the program brought together hundreds of local women from several communities in the County including Gbarnga, Belefanai, Palala, Suakoko, Toyota, Folobia, Gbartala, Salala, Cuttington, and Wainsue and was climaxed at a roundtable discussion at the Gbarnga Administrative Hall during which time participants stated their challenges and brainstormed on ways of mitigating them to forge ahead with the goal of getting at the table of decision-making of the Country.
During the discussion, the local women stated that their spouses have been stopping them from participating in politics and would send them in the farm, cook and take care of their families. “Our men have been pushing us behind. They want us to be living like before. Men have been deceiving us, saying we are not able to make decision” adding, “Our friend women are not supporting us”, they said among other things.
Besides craving for participation in leadership position and politics, the women requested for training and empowerment to be able to support their children and cater to the livelihood of their respective families as they further encouraged their colleagues to enhance their meaningful participation in national advocacy for women and children across the County and Liberia at large.
Following the local women testimonies, two prominent women of Liberia, Bong County Superintendent Esther Walker and the Establishment Coordinator of the influential Liberian-based Angie Brooks International Centre (ABIC) for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security, Cllr. Dr. Yvette Chesson-Wureh motivated the women of Bong to take responsibility to ascend to leadership in order to change the narrative.
According to Superintendent Walker and Madam Chesson- Wureh the peace of Liberia is in the hands of women as such, they should take seize of the peace and leadership of the country to be visible at the table of influential decision making.
“2023 is around the corner, women go to the election with peace and make sure that you elect your own so that your voices can be heard and given attention to instead of voting for rice and other material things” Superintendent Walker told the participating women.
She added, “This country is ours let us not be afraid because we can change the narrative. Stand up and make this country better. You know book or not you have a part to play and even uneducated women have common sense that can help us. The men are our counterparts and therefore, do not be afraid of them.”
Also remarking, ABIC Establishment Coordinator Cllr. Dr. Cheeson-Wureh further stated that women should galvanize the spirit to make sure they are visible at the table, saying the peace of Liberia is in the hands of the women.
Cllr. Chesson- Wureh satisfied with the turnout, told the local women to learn from their leader Superintendent Walker and make sure that they do away with fear and other negative vices that have the propensity to undermine them from achieving their goal.
“Participate in all democratic process and make sure that your voice is heard. Participate in politics because it decides your future, education, healthcare and everything you can imagine and think about. How government spend money, the school children go, hospital pregnant women go are all decided by the government therefore, politic is all of us business” Dr. Cheeson-Wureh said.
Madam Chesson-Wureh, speaking further said the time is now for women do away with phobia and threats from their male counterpart and take on the challenge to be visible to position of influence. Adding, “We will support and standby anyone who wants to participate in the elections and we encourage all of you to step out of your fear and take responsibility.”
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