The National Elections Commission (NEC), through its Gender Section, Thursday ended a one-day Inter-Party Consultative Committee (IPCC) dialogue on the prevention and respond to election violence and violence against women in election and politics at a local hotel in Monrovia.
Nearly 30 chairpersons and senior executives of political parties in Liberia attended the dialogue, held under the theme, “Promoting Inclusive and Safe Environment for the Participation of Women in Elections and Politics”.
The United Nations Development Program (UNDP) Electoral Support Office in Liberia and partners, the governments of Sweden and Ireland, the UN Women and Peace Building Office provided funds for the dialogue.
NEC Commissioner with Oversight on Gender, Josephine Kou Gaye, officially launching the program underscored the need for political parties to support women in order that they may take up leadership role during the pending 2023 general elections in Liberia.
Commissioner Kou Gaye clarified to political parties’ executives that the 30 percent minimum women participation in the leadership of political parties in no way suggests that this participation cannot increase to 70 percent women participation.
Speaking for the partners, UNDP Gender Specialist, Symphorosa Oundo, assured leaders of political parties and the NEC of her organization’s fullest cooperation on increasing female participation in political activities in Liberia.
The UNDP Gender Specialist said women in the leadership in the National Legislature brings benefits to the educational and health sectors, as well as to the community.