MONROVIA — The Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL), under its Year III USAID Media Activity, hosted the second Women’s Rights-Focused Media and Civil Society Roundtable, called “the Community Media Forum” (CMF), on Tuesday, August 6, 2024. The event, held in Seclapea, Nimba County, brought together over fifty (50) participants from various communities in and around the area.
Attendees included chiefs, elders, youth, women’s groups, and stakeholders from the county, as well as some members and support staff of FeJAL.
This initiative, powered by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Internews Liberia Media Activity, seeks to outline best approaches to harness the potential of Liberian women across all spectrums. The primary focus is on amplifying women’s voices and ensuring their representation in decision-making spaces.
Providing an overview of the event, FeJAL Media Trainer Vivian Cooke highlighted the significance of women’s leadership in local governance and emphasized the need for collaborative support to create spaces for women to serve and lead. Cooke stressed that women’s participation at the local level is crucial to achieving gender equality, inclusivity, and accountability. She noted, “Ensuring equal participation of women in leadership and local governance, and providing them with equal opportunities to actively participate in society, will foster a more democratic and empowered society, where women can be key contributors to local development.”
Cooke also pointed out some of the challenges faced by women in Liberia, noting that although women represent a significant portion of the population, they are still underrepresented in leadership positions at the local level. Despite the Local Government Act (LGA) being in place, there remains limited awareness and recognition of the LGA among high-level decision-makers. More advocacy and efforts are needed to boost women’s influence and presence in leadership roles.
During a panel discussion, Madam Nourtiah Vah, the Women’s Wing Chairlady in Seclapea, observed that women often lack self-confidence and exhibit self-centered attitudes, which contribute to their exclusion from political positions. She argued that women play a vital role in every society and that increasing their presence in political spaces is essential for addressing issues affecting women and children in the national legislature.
Madam Vah emphasized the urgency of addressing problems like child labor, human trafficking, drug abuse, and sexual and gender-based violence. She stated that these issues require serious attention for the county to advance both in human capacity and infrastructure development.
From a youth perspective, the Chairperson of the Youth, Aaron Luogon, underscored the need for women to be given more opportunities in leadership roles. He cited women’s commitment, honesty, accountability, and results-oriented nature as qualities that make them effective leaders. Luogon highlighted the achievements of Nimba County’s Superintendent, Madam Kou Meapeh Gono, who was initially underestimated but has since made substantial improvements to the superintendent compound—something her predecessors failed to accomplish.
Luogon also mentioned the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf City Hall in Seclapea, noting that the annex was built by women. He argued that there should be no reason for denying women leadership positions since they consistently make a positive difference in society.
Madam Irene Lankah from the disabled community expressed her excitement at being selected to speak on the importance of women in leadership, describing it as a golden opportunity for her voice to be recognized. She stated that women are natural caretakers, and the same qualities they bring to managing their homes should be applied in leadership roles. Lankah remarked, “When women are in leadership positions, those around them feel their impact, and their work is always visible to the public.”
She added that while men focus primarily on meeting expectations at home, women juggle numerous responsibilities and still maintain their composure. Leadership, she argued, is merely an extension of the roles women already excel in.
Victor Zoleglee, head of the civil society organization in Seclapea, echoed the sentiments shared by the panelists, stating that women possess all the attributes needed to lead their communities and country towards a better future.
The participants recommended that FeJAL include discussions on land rights and promote women’s land rights. They also emphasized the need for more awareness on the increasing issue of teenage pregnancy, women’s maltreatment in the home, and the roles of men and women in the family. The forum concluded with a call for continued awareness campaigns to educate citizens on issues they might be unaware of.
Several women’s groups from different communities in Seclapea, Nimba County, pledged their commitment to supporting women in politics and local government leadership. They highlighted the importance of standing together, as only women truly understand the unique challenges they face in their communities and the country.
In his closing remarks, the Statutory Superintendent of Nimba County, Cooper Gour, expressed his appreciation to FeJAL for bringing such a meaningful discussion to their community. He expressed hope for more workshops that address other pressing issues in the county.
FeJAL Vice President Oretha Bundoo Seh also thanked participants for taking part in the discussion and encouraged women to see themselves as decision-makers who can achieve more than what men are capable of in society. Seh urged the women present to engage more in discussions about their own issues, as they are best positioned to represent themselves.
It can be recalled that FeJAL held its first Community Media Forum (CMF) in April of this year, focusing on the same topic. The event attracted over 50 participants from Little Bassa and Sammie Towns in Compound #1, Grand Bassa County.
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