Africa-Press – Liberia. In a bold step to increase women’s participation in governance across the country, Accountability Lab Liberia launches the “Increasing Women Participation in Leadership and Governance” project.
Making the announcement at the weekend, Accountability Lab Liberia Country Director, Lawrence Yeakue, said the initiative is aimed at addressing the significant disparity in male and female representation in leadership and decision-making roles across Liberia, with a focus on Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, and Gbarpolu counties, Western Liberia.
The pilot project, he says, is being funded by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED). the project aims to foster a sense of ownership in decision-making processes and encourage women to actively engage and participate in leadership roles at the national and sub-national levels, ultimately contributing to a more prosperous and democratic Liberia.
He further stated that the project seeks to empower young girls and women through capacity building, community awareness, and sustained mentorship, while emphasizing that their active involvement in leadership and governance can lead to positive national outcomes if they are willing to engage and take ownership of the processes.
Six local female-led Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), two from each target county, will be selected through a rigorous Request for Applications (RFA) process, he adds.
“These CSO partners will undergo an intensive two-day boot camp training in Bomi County, focusing on critical topics such as the role of citizens in a democracy with an emphasis on women, rights-based versus need-based advocacy, leadership and women’s participation, public speaking, motivation, coaching, and mentorship.”
Following the capacity-building phase, the initiative will roll out comprehensive community awareness campaigns, utilizing flyers and street jamborees to promote active participation among women. The project will also organize symposiums and lecture series in collaboration with the selected partner CSOs, featuring influential female guest speakers from both the private and public sectors.
These sessions will target women and young girls in schools, colleges, marketplaces, and community youth centers, covering topics such as public speaking, the benefits of networking, women’s political participation, the harmful effects of vote-buying and selling, educating a girl child, and women’s rights. The CSOs will serve as ongoing points of reference for coaching and mentorship at the county level, even after the project closes.
To ensure broad reach, Accountability Lab Liberia will produce mainstream and social media educational content, including podcasts, radio talk shows, and drama. These materials will be disseminated through community radio, the Lab’s website, and its social media channels (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, YouTube, and Twitter), targeting women who may not be able to attend in-person events and those outside the project counties.
The project’s success will be measured by several key evaluation points, including an increase in partner organizations’ capacity to support women and girls in leadership, enhanced self-confidence and leadership engagement among participating women and girls, and increased public awareness and positive perception of female leadership through media dissemination.
He pledged his organization’s commitment, saying Accountability Lab Liberia is committed to fostering a more inclusive and equitable society where women are actively engaged in shaping their communities and nation through anti-corruption, transparency, governance, and the rule of law.
Accountability Lab Liberia is a trans-local organization dedicated to supporting active citizens, responsible leaders, and accountable institutions. With over 10 years of experience, the Lab works across Liberia to shift norms towards integrity and build networks of change-makers.
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