Beneficiaries of the two-day VAWIEP Training
HARPER, MARYLAND COUNTY: With the primary goal to strengthen women’s resilience against political threats as the October 10, 2023, Presidential and Legislative elections edge closer, NAYMOTE, Partner for Democratic Development has conducted training for over fifty women from Maryland and River-Gee Counties.
The training, held under the theme: “Violence Against Women In Elections and Politics (VAWIE/P)” seeks to build women’s capacity to detect and speedily respond to threats in politics and during electioneering period.
The training was supported through the Peace Building Fund via United Nations Women Liberia as part of growing awareness on women’s political participation.
The two day-training was conducted by NAYMOTE on the VAWiE Protocol.
The training’s objective is geared towards strengthening the ability of NAYMOTE’s mentees and CSOs on the VAWIE’s protocol.
The VAWIEP Protocol is defined as any action or risk against women in politics, activism, as well as women candidates in any given election period.
The VAWIE/P agreement was signed by the National Elections Commission (NEC) and political parties’ executives on February 18, 2022 with support from UN Women.
The two-day training brought together participants from Civil Society Organizations (CSO), counties authorities, members of the disable community, and as well of the National Young Women Political Council.
Speaking at the commencement of the training, Naymote’s Liberia Gender coordinator, Madam Faith Smith, noted that owing to the acute under representation of women in national politics and central government, NAYMOTE, under the auspices of the VAWIEP project, is endeavoring through capacity building training to encourage inclusive political participation and the eradication of violence against women during electioneering time.
Madam Smith pointed out that the trainees will be charged with the task to carry out intensive awareness on the prevention of violence against women in political and electoral processes.
She added that a door-to-door campaign awareness via town hall meetings, radio talk shows and community engagements will be the conduit through which the beneficiaries disseminate the message.
Also speaking, NEC’s Deputy Magistrate, assigned in River-Gee County, Joseph Saylee, said this can only be a reality when all Liberians-both men and women have equal opportunities to engage in the electoral processes as voters, candidates, electoral staffs or simply supporters of political parties.
The local authorities also promised to work with the media to promote and raise awareness on the privileged access of special group including female electorates, pregnant women, and breast feeding mothers, the elderly and people living with disabilities.
Liberia National Police (LNP) local deputy commander of Police in River-Gee County, Mr. Youlue Collins said the LNP will ensure that women aspirants and candidates are also protected as provided for by the VAWiE protocol.”
“Stereotyping of all kinds against women in elections will be strictly prohibited, ensuring that everyone has access.”
“We agreed that the police shall enforce the SOP by ensuring that priority is given to female electorate, pregnant women, breast-feeding Mothers, Elder and people living with disabilities during election period,” LNP deputy commander of Police in Maryland County, Layee M. Massaley added.
Meanwhile, the 50 young women and CSOs who have benefited from the training vowed to go back to their respective communities to create awareness on the Protocol, and as well monitor electoral activities to ensure that the Protocol is adhered to, and implemented by all parties in Liberia.
The Gender local coordinator in River Gee, Veronica Dialleh, noted that women are facing too many challenges in terms of leadership in the counties.
“The level and forms of violence women go through in elections cannot be over emphasized, culture and societal barriers have hugely impacted women’s leadership and political participation,” she said.
The training was followed by massive awareness on various high school campuses in Maryland and River Gee on the VAWiE Protocol. Talk shows were held on Radio Gee and Radio Phoenix, the voice of Tubman University.
Women in Liberia account for at least fifty percent of the population but they are underrepresented in the body politics of the country.
Currently, there are nine women out of 73 members of the House of Representatives, and two women, out of 30, in the Liberian Senate.
