Published: February 22, 2026
ACCRA, Ghana – Liberia has reaffirmed its commitment to expanding political space for women and youth, as Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection Gbeme Horace-Kollie took a leading role in a high-level regional consultation marking the 50th anniversary of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
The Feb. 19–20 consultation in Accra forms part of ECOWAS’ ambitious Legacy Project on Gender Parity in Elected Bodies (2025–2035), a decade-long initiative aimed at accelerating women’s political representation across West Africa through legislative reforms, model laws and sustained advocacy.
At the center of Liberia’s engagement was Horace-Kollie, who presented technical recommendations on electoral reforms, quota systems and capacity-building tools to strengthen women’s and youth political participation across the region.
“We believe that empowering women and youth in leadership is not only a matter of fairness — it is essential to sustainable peace, democratic stability, and regional development,” Horace-Kollie said while speaking to local media in Accra.
A Regional Vision for Gender Parity
Convened under ECOWAS’ auspices, the consultation brought together policymakers, gender advocates and regional stakeholders to strengthen frameworks that promote meaningful participation of women and youth in political processes and decision-making.
The Legacy Project, conceptualized as part of ECOWAS’ golden jubilee celebrations, underscores a shared regional vision: gender parity is central to sustainable development, peace and democratic progress. It seeks to build on five decades of democratic governance by prioritizing women’s representation in elected bodies throughout the subregion by 2035.
Key strategic pillars of the initiative include:
- Legislative advocacy to encourage member states to adopt laws enhancing women’s political representation.
- Model law development, creating a regional guide that countries can tailor to institutionalize gender parity commitments.
- Capacity building and high-level dialogue, facilitating ministerial meetings and consultations where policymakers and civil society shape effective political participation strategies.
Liberia used the Accra platform to reaffirm its commitment to strengthening legal and institutional mechanisms that support gender equality and inclusive democratic governance across West Africa.
Liberia’s Role and National Efforts
While women’s representation in elective positions in Liberia remains modest — reflecting broader regional trends — the Ministry of Gender has intensified efforts to close that gap.
Under Horace-Kollie’s leadership, Liberia has launched initiatives such as the National Policy Dialogue Platform on Gender Equality, aimed at addressing structural barriers that limit women’s participation in governance and decision-making.
Liberia is also actively engaged with the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre, the regional institution spearheading gender equality programs across West Africa. Horace-Kollie represents Liberia in collaborative regional networks and advocacy platforms coordinated by the center.
At the Accra consultation, gender focal persons and experts from ECOWAS member states, including Liberia, mapped pathways for stronger legislative frameworks that center women’s voices in politics. The technical meeting is expected to be followed by a ministerial roundtable and advocacy sessions designed to elevate the discussions to the highest political levels.
Why It Matters
Liberia’s involvement in the ECOWAS Legacy Project signals more than symbolic participation. It reflects a strategic alignment of national gender policy with regional standards aimed at transforming political representation over the next decade.
By partnering through ECOWAS platforms, engaging in high-level consultations and advocating for reform-driven frameworks, Liberia positions itself not merely as a participant but as a contributor to a collective regional push for gender parity in elected bodies by 2035.
Looking Ahead
The success of the Legacy Project will hinge on sustained political will and the translation of regional commitments into enforceable legal and institutional reforms at the national level.
With its proactive stance — championed by the Ministry of Gender — Liberia is positioning itself at the forefront of a regional movement seeking to reshape political leadership across West Africa and ensure women and youth play a central role in shaping the region’s democratic future.
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