The Women of Liberia trooped to the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) to officially sign the book of condolence for the Late Madam Roseline Toweh, a peace activist and women and girls advocate. The signing of the book of condolence which opened Monday will climax Friday 15 July 2022. The ceremony took place July 11, 2022, at the YWCA headquarters in Congo Town.
Many prominent women, including former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Olubanke King Akerele, former Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister, Julia Duncan-Cassell, former Education Minister, Evelyn Kandakai, Counsellor Dr. Yvette Chesson-Wureh among several grassroots women from across the country.
The women in their sober mood at the signing ceremony paid driving tributes to the fallen colleague, describing her as a great loss to the nation. According to them, she was a patriot and nationalist who until her passing preached the message of peace and stood tall for women and girls’ rights.
Mrs. Roseline Towe died on June 18, 2022, at the St. Joseph Catholic Hospital in Congo Town. She served as Executive Director of the Young Women Christian Association (YWCA) before her death. She was also an Eminent Woman in the Women’s Situation Room (WSR).
The late Madam Toweh headed the Liberian Women Mass Action for Peace and recently read the position statement of the Women’s Mass Action for Peace, during the closure of a 14-day fast and prayers, which called the attention of the government and other relevant parties to take all necessary steps to preserve the peace.
In her welcoming remarks, the National President of YWCA, Mrs. Helen Bassey, thanked the women for attending the ceremony, saying Roseline was like a friend to everybody and will be remembered for her role in ensuring that the Peace of Liberia is sustained, adding that her outstanding advocacy on behalf of the women and girls of Liberia was selfless.
Madam Helen Bassey was followed by the Forum of Liberian Women Elders, represented by former Foreign Affairs Minister, Olubanke King Akerele, who said the death of Madam Toweh was shocking, barely days after the closure of the Liberia Women Mass Action for Peace fast and prayers, of which the late Roseline Toweh led.
The Chairperson of the Board of the Women’s Situation Room disclosed that a Transient Referral Hub for Women in Crisis at Ma Mary’s will be established in reserving the legacy of Madam Roseline Toweh.
Speaking in a brief interview, the Establishment Coordinator of the Angie Brooks International Center for women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security, Cllr Cyvette Chesson-Wreh said the late Roseline Toweh was an eminent woman from the very start of the war room of the Women’s Situation Room.
She said ” the late Madam Toweh has been with us in several meetings of the WSR concerning the peace of this country. She was always there for the youth, that has been her focus. She always paved her way to connect with the youth, she added. Speaking further Dr. Chesson-Wreh encouraged the women of Liberia to remember that peace is in their hands, as such, all must together to keep the peace of the country, something she that Mrs. fought for.
Frances R. Deigh Greaves, former National Chairman Civil Society Council told the gathering that the late Roseline Toweh was an astute woman who took initiative. Roseline, according to her, was part of many national and international organizations that left the voices of women where they could not reach. She was the voice of the young people, mentioning that she empathized with the young people.
Reported by: Stephen G. Fellajuah
WhatApp: +231777015294
Email: fellajuahstepheng@gmail.com
