The National Elections Commission (NEC), through its Gender Section, Wednesday commenced a two-day intensive working session in Tubmanburg, Bomi County, on the revitalization of the group, “Gender in Elections Coordination Group (GECG)” in Liberia.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Electoral Support Office and partners, the governments of Sweden and Ireland are providing the funds for the NEC gender training in Tubmanburg.
Speaking at the opening of the program, NEC Gender Director, Leisel Talery, said the intent of the revitalization and training of the GECG group is in anticipation that members of the group will be able to create messages and decentralize awareness messages within their various organizations within their different counties for the pending 2023 general and presidential elections. The NEC Gender Director pointed out that the section’s main focus is on women groups and persons living with disability throughout the country.
A statement from NEC issued Wednesday, July 27, 2022 said Director Talery promised that, at the end of the two-day training session, participants will have a broader understanding of gender issues and concept that they will be able to dispel rumors that gender is only about women, rather than the both men and women.
According to the NEC statement, the UN Women and Peace Building Fund are also providing support for the gender training.
Nearly 75 key stakeholders and representatives in Bomi County, including persons living with disability, women civil society groups, women community-based organizations, the National Union on Disabilities (NUOD), county gender coordinators and assistant election magistrates of the commission are attending the program.