The Girls Alliance for Future Leadership, a pro-feminist organization, has made a strong plea to women to unite in favor of female candidates in order to achieve gender balance representation in the national legislature in the country’s next presidential and legislative elections. Patricia Davies, the secretary general of the alliance, advised female candidates to hold discussions free from political bias and nominate their best peers who will take the majority of the seats in the legislature.
Miss Davis made the plea during a program celebrating the observance of the International Day of the Girl Child held in Monrovia on Tuesday, October 11, 2022, during which the Girls Alliance for Future Leadership honored four women. Even if the national census reveals that there is a little than 1% gender gap between men and women, she claims women are still disproportionately underrepresented in all three arms of government. If Liberian women win control of the national legislature in the 2023 elections, according to Miss Davies, most problems with gender-based violence, rape, and sexual abuse of women and girls in Liberia will be resolved.
The Assistant Advocacy Officer of the Girls Alliance for Future Leadership, Shevina Sheriff, stated in remarks that their dream of gender balance in the government is still alive because females are still disproportionately underrepresented in the three branches of the government. According to her, women ’s right in Liberia is only guaranteed when there is the gender balance at the national legislature in the nearest future
“We are currently focused on working to support female candidates contesting for the House of Representatives and the Liberian Senate.”
Sister Evelina De Gugliemo, Principal of the Saint Theresa Convent, Reverend Yar Donlah Gonway-Gono, President of the United Methodist University, Mrs. Estalle Liberty-Kemoh, Director General of the Liberia Broadcasting System, and Mary Broh, Director General of the General Service Agency, are among those recognized by the Girls Alliance for Future Leadership.
The Saint Theresa Convent’s Principal, Sister Evelina De Gugliemo, responded quickly after receiving the award and expressed her gratitude and happiness at seeing young women fighting for women’s rights on a national level. Everyone has potential, she claimed, and young girls in particular should achieve success in order to make a name for themselves in society. The alliance was advised by Sister Gugliemo to be assured, patient, and to think big since the day would come when you would be blessed with favorable outcomes.
Mary Broh, the director general of the General Service Agency, urged the alliance to keep fighting for the rights of girls. She asserts that attention must be given to the girls who will follow this generation.
The Liberia Broadcasting System’s Director General, Estelle Liberty-Kemoh, responded by saying that the accolade had increased her resolve to keep serving the people because it was a recognition for all women working in the media industry. She reassured the alliance that she would continue to use the platform to advocate for the importance of empowering young girls to realize their full potential. DG Liberty-Kemoh asserted that in order to lower teen pregnancy, rape, and child prostitution, moms and sisters must take the initiative in monitoring the girls and telling them to stop doing things.
Also speaking, the President of the United Methodist University, Reverend Yar Donlah Gonway-Gono, cautioned the alliance to only support women who are issue driven and not those who will oppose women’s development. According to her, Liberia will not have peace until women are brought to all levels of life in the country.
The program held under the theme” Our Time Is Now,” was graced by prominent women in the education, professional and media sector.
Reported by: Augustine Octavius
Contact: +231777463963
Email: augustineoctavius@gmail.com
