Africa-Press – Liberia. Young women from various rights-based organizations have completed a two-day capacity-building training aimed at boosting women’s participation in politics and national decision-making processes.
The training, organized by the Campaign for Human Rights and Development (CHRD), was held under the theme: “Building Women’s Political Power for Inclusive Democracy.” It featured sessions on effective leadership, feminist politics, public speaking, policy advocacy, digital rights, and accountability.
Jonathan M.D. Yanzee, Executive Director of CHRD, described the initiative as a significant step toward empowering Liberian women to lead and influence governance at all levels.
“We gather here under a unifying theme—not just a slogan, but a strategy for transformation and a vision for a future where women are central in shaping policies, leading institutions, and defending rights,” Yanzee stated.
“In a country where women have led peacebuilding efforts and organized powerful grassroots movements, it is only just that we create spaces like this lab to invest in their growth,” he added.
Yanzee expressed gratitude to ActionAid Liberia and acknowledged the contributions of ambassadors, civil society leaders, and facilitators who supported the event.
Speaking at the training, Dr. Kerstin Jonsson Cissé, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Sweden, emphasized the global gender gap in political representation.
“Half of the world’s population is made up of women, yet we are not equally represented in the decision-making process,” she said.
Dr. Cissé noted that in Liberia, young women remain one of the most marginalized groups.
“A young woman is less likely to stay in school or have employment opportunities, but more likely to become pregnant at an early age,” she said.
“I’m happy that the Embassy of Sweden remains a strong partner in advancing women’s rights in Liberia.”
She further stated, “Being a woman in the world holds many expectations, but we envision a future where women’s voices fill political spaces and leadership is equally shared among genders.”
Dr. Cissé pointed out that in Liberia, statistics show only one woman for every seven men in high-level decision-making positions.
“Yet, in the face of these challenges, we find inspiration in your resilience. This is an opportunity to strengthen gender equality and improve political representation in Liberia,” she concluded.
Also speaking at the event, South African Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Iqbal Jhazbhay, stressed the importance of unified efforts in promoting women’s advancement.
“We must organize ourselves to bring about meaningful change in Liberia,” he said. “We hope this initiative will pave the way for more opportunities, including scholarships for educational advancement abroad.”
Cuban Ambassador to Liberia, Indira Lopez Arguelles, added that traditional practices have historically disadvantaged women.
“Women have been raised to be shy and submissive—that’s how we were brought up,” she said. “Raise your children to live in the world they want to see. We are the mothers who shape future generations. We have the power to shift the narrative.”
She urged participants to stay focused and resilient in their pursuit of leadership roles in decision-making spaces.
The event, dubbed the Young Women Political Organizing Lab, concluded with a passionate call for young women to rise, lead, and reshape Liberia’s political future.
In interviews with FrontPage Africa, participants shared how the training had empowered and inspired them.
Princess N. Boygeh, one of the attendees, described the training as a wake-up call.
“This training opened my eyes to the issues affecting women and how to develop the right strategies to address them,” she said. “If we don’t know our rights and speak up, we will continue to be marginalized.”
Patricia G. Chea, Coordinator of Determined Girls Empowerment Network, highlighted how the workshop strengthened her public speaking skills and deepened her understanding of political participation.
“One of the key takeaways for me is knowing my rights as a woman in politics,” she said. “This training has inspired me to help other women who feel excluded from national leadership conversations.”
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