The National Elections Commission has urged Liberians to take all necessary precautions to prevent violence against women and other vulnerable individuals during the nation’s elections. Violence against women and other vulnerable individuals during elections, according to NEC Commissioner Josephine Kou-Gaye, is a violation of their human rights.
The decision was announced by Commissioner Gaye when she gave the opening remarks at the National Elections Commission-sponsored event in Monrovia that kicked off a three-day debate with support from UN Women, Irish Aid, and Sweden Sverige. She claimed that because of the socioeconomic and political climate of the nation at the time, women and individuals with disabilities had suffered difficulties over the years.
“These were a few of the problems preventing women and people with disabilities from fully participating in the electoral process. In order for these groups of people to engage fully in the electoral process and represent others, as a nation we must address these issues. Regardless of their position in society, women and people with disabilities must have access to systems that will work for their welfare. The first institution they can establish in order to execute the protocol that outlaws violence against women and less fortunate people during elections is the National Elections Commission, in collaboration with the political parties.”
Lawyer Nathan Garbie, the National Elections Commission’s deputy executive director for programs, added that because of their fragility, women and people with disabilities continue to be marginalized. According to attorney Garbie, the commission and its allies would like to see elections devoid of violence against women and anyone with disabilities.
Participants engaged in guided discussion and the development of a strategy while debating electoral violence, violence against women in elections and politics, the key principles of the Vawie protocol signed by political parties, and the implementation and monitoring of the Viewe protocol and plan of action. Leisel Talery, the NEC’s gender director, Manakabay Donzo, its senior gender officer, Miatta Darwolor, and Esther Yango, the organization’s executive director for women nongovernmental and civil society organizations in Liberia, served as the facilitators.
Representatives from government ministries, pertinent institutions, and women’s and political organizations participated in the debate, which had as its theme “Promoting Inclusive and Safe Environment for the Participation of Women in Elections and Politics.”
Reported by: Augustine Octavius
Contact: +231777463963
Email: augustineoctavius@gmail.com
