LIBERIA: Women Push for Greater Political Representation as ECOWAS Parliament Convenes in Monrovia

Liberian lawmakers were on Tuesday, July 6, urged to let ECOWAS parliamentary deliberations, taking place in Liberia, help them support a bill before them seeking greater political representation for women. The National Legislature is considering a bill which would call for 30 percent women participation in political representation.

Addressing the meeting President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf recalled that Liberia is a signatory to the United Nations resolution which seeks greater women representatives in politics, and hoped the meeting in Monrovia would give courage to the Legislature to give serious consideration to the bill.

The Liberian leader made these remarks when she officially opened the Delocalized Parliament Joint Committee on Health, Social Services, Gender, Labor, Employment and Social Welfare.

The meeting, being held under the theme of “Development and Promotion of Quota in the Representation of Women in Politics within ECOWAS, is taking place at the Joint Chambers of the National Legislature in Monrovia.

The President pointed out that the selection of Liberia to host the event is an attestation of the country's increasing role in the affairs of the sub-regional body. Liberia, the President said, is a founding member of ECOWAS, including some of its institutions -- the African Development Bank and the ECOWAS Fund.

“We've paid our dues; we've paid our levies, and now we seek a leading role in leadership,” the President told ECOWAS parliamentarians. Liberia is seeking a higher leadership role in the organization.

Speaking earlier, the Protocol Officer of the ECOWAS Parliament, Ezekiel Fwangder, commended the Liberian President for setting the precedence as the first elected woman President on the continent of Africa. He observed that women have the talents, vision, ideas, innovation and could transform governments within the region, and must not be left behind.

The President Pro-Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Hon. Cletus Wotorson, and House Speaker Alex Tyler, also spoke at the opening ceremony. They underscored the leading role Liberian women have played over the years in shaping the political direction of the country. The lawmakers welcomed the meeting in Liberia and promised to promote ideals which encourage greater women representation and participation in politics.