As part of its Year III USAID Media Activity, the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL) has concluded the second Women Rights Focused Media and Civil Society Roundtable, known as the “Community Media Forum” (CMF). The event took place on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, with more than fifty participants from various communities in and around Seclapea, Nimba County, in attendance.
The event brought together chiefs, elders, the youth, women groups, and stakeholders from the county including some members and support staff of FeJAL.
The initiative, supported by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) through the Internews Liberia Media Activity, aims to identify effective strategies to empower Liberian women from diverse backgrounds. It focuses on increasing women’s representation and amplifying their voices in decision-making processes.
Giving an overview of the event, FeJAL Media Trainer Vivian Cooke emphasized the significance of women’s leadership in local governance and the importance of providing collaborative support to enable women to serve and lead effectively. She noted that women’s participation at the local level is essential for advancing gender equality, inclusivity, and accountability in communities.
“Ensuring equal participation of women in Leadership and Local Governance, and providing women with equal opportunities to actively participate in society, would bring about equal democratic society and result in the empowerment of women to become actors of change and key contributors to the local development process” she added.
Additionally, she highlighted the challenges that women face in Liberia, noting that despite comprising a significant percentage of the population, women remain underrepresented in leadership positions within local governance. She emphasized the necessity for increased advocacy and initiatives to elevate the influence and participation of women in leadership roles. Furthermore, she pointed out the limited understanding and recognition of the Local Government Act (LGA) among high-level decision-makers in the country.
During a panel discussion, Madam Nourtiah Vah, the women’s wing chair lady in Seclapea, pointed out that women’s lack of self-confidence and self-centered attitudes, along with a failure to support grassroots women, have hindered their involvement and election to political positions.
She stressed the importance of having more women in leadership roles to address critical issues affecting women and children and drive positive change within the community.
Madam Vah highlighted key concerns such as child labor, human trafficking, drug abuse, and gender-based violence, underscoring the need for concerted efforts to advance human capacity and infrastructure development in the county.
Aaron Luogon, the youth chairperson, highlighted the importance of offering women greater opportunities in leadership roles. He emphasized that women bring valuable characteristics to leadership positions, such as commitment, honesty, accountability, and results-oriented approaches, without using community resources for personal gain.
Luogon cited Superintendent Kou Meapeh Gono as an example, noting the positive changes she has initiated, underscoring the impactful contributions of women in leadership roles.
He referenced the construction of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf City Hall annex by women as further evidence of their significant contributions, advocating for increased opportunities for women in various institutions based on their proven capabilities.
Madam Irene Lankah from the disability community shared her enthusiasm for being chosen to discuss the significance of women in leadership roles, considering it a valuable opportunity to be acknowledged at the forum. She highlighted the importance of women in leadership, noting that their nurturing and caring qualities, often demonstrated in the home, are equally valuable in leadership positions.
“When women are in leadership positions all of those they are surrounded by feel their impact, their works are always visible to the public’’ she added.
“Men do not have time for things that happen be it in their presence or absence, all they care about is to come home and meet everything neat in the home, but women are the ones who go through the daily stress with the children and other things.” She said. “Despite all these, they can still maintain that look as if to say she never went through nothing, so when they can accept all of that, serving in leadership is just an added role to their profession as a true and sophisticated woman.”
Victor Zoleglee, the head of a civil society organization in Saclapea, echoed the sentiments shared by his fellow participants and acknowledged that women possess essential qualities that make them effective leaders in improving communities and countries for all citizens.
The group recommended that FeJAL focus on including Land Rights and promoting women’s Land Rights, addressing the rising issue of teenage pregnancy, extending awareness on women’s maltreatment in homes to other areas of Saclapea, educating on the roles of men and women in households, and continuing awareness campaigns to educate citizens on important issues.
Meanwhile, Various women’s groups from different communities in Saclapea, Nimba County, have pledged their support for women in politics and local government leadership.
They emphasized the significance of women supporting each other in pursuing political positions and taking on leadership roles at the local level. According to the groups, women’s understanding of the challenges faced by women in their communities, towns, counties, and the country puts them in a unique position to address and advocate for these issues effectively.
At the conclusion of the forum, Nimba County’s Statutory Superintendent, Cooper Gour, expressed appreciation to FeJAL for their engagement on such crucial topics that impact the lives of community members. He expressed interest in future workshops with FeJAL to address additional community and county-related issues.
Vice President Oretha Bundoo Seh of FeJAL lauded the participants for their active involvement in the discussion and encouraged women to view themselves as decision-makers capable of effecting positive change.
Seh urged women to actively engage in discussions and represent themselves effectively, emphasizing the importance of women’s voices in addressing issues that impact them.
FeJAL previously held its first Community Media Forum (CMF) in April of this year, focusing on similar topics and bringing together over 50 participants from Little Bassa, Sammie Towns, and Compound #1 in Grand Bassa County.
