The Elections Coordinating Committee with funding from Irish Aid on Thursday launched a nine-month project which will promote an inclusive and peaceful democratic process in Liberia.
The nine months project was launched under the theme “Promoting Inclusive and Peaceful Democracy” and it is funded by the government and people of Ireland.
Given an overview of the project, IREED Executive Director and ECC Steering Committee member Matthias Yeanay said, the project is intended to support peaceful elections and advance legislative advocacy for electoral reform in Liberia.
According to Yeanay, the project also seeks to promote women’s full participation in the democratic process with a focus to call and advocate for the full amendment of section 4.5 of the new election law of Liberia. He said he will mediate political parties to achieve 30% gender equity.
Making his remark, Ireland Representative to Liberia Kate O’Donnel stressed the need for Liberia to support the appointment of qualified women in government to local positions and to address the long-standing gender imbalance in the country.
According to her, it is important for the government to make it their duty to encourage and support women’s full participation in the democratic process of the country.
The Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC) is a civil society platform, comprising seven (6) organizations that observe elections in Liberia. The members include, Actions for Genuine Democratic Alternatives (AGENDA); Center for Democratic Governance (CDG); Center for Media Studies and Peace Building (CEMESP); Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD); Naymote Partners for Democratic Development (NAYMOTE-PADD); West Africa Network for Peace Building (WANEP), and the Women’s NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL). The ECC works in partnership with the Liberia Accountability Voice Initiative (LAVI) with support from USAID.
Reported by: Morris Wle Tee
Email:wlehmorris14@gmail.com
Phone number:+231770995818 Whasap:+231880467372
