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ADNews-Monrovia,Liberia: Sister Aid Liberia has reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s political participation and leadership through a high-level National Networking and Experience-Sharing Forum held under the Women’s Political Participation Electoral Support Project in Liberia.
Benjamin Quaye Johnson
Delivering the official overview and welcome remarks, the Executive Director of Sister Aid Liberia, Madam Miatta Darwolor, described the gathering as “timely and significant,” bringing together aspiring women leaders, accomplished female politicians, development partners, civil society organizations, and democratic institutions committed to strengthening inclusive governance in Liberia.
Madam Darwolor said the forum was organized not only to provide a platform for exchanging experiences, but also to build confidence among women, strengthen solidarity, expand professional networks, and identify practical pathways for increasing women’s participation in politics and local governance.
“Your presence today reflects a strong commitment to strengthening democracy and amplifying women’s voices and leadership in public life,” she stated. “Women’s leadership is not symbolic; it is essential to building a more inclusive and accountable Liberia.”
She praised development partners and stakeholders for their continuous support toward women’s empowerment and democratic participation across Liberia.
Highlighting statistics from international governance reports, Madam Darwolor noted that although Liberia has made progress in women’s representation in ministerial positions, women remain significantly underrepresented in elected offices.
According to figures from the International Parliamentary Union’s January 2026 publication, women currently occupy 35.3 percent of ministerial positions in Liberia, with six out of seventeen cabinet positions held by women. However, representation in the Legislature remains low, with only eight women serving in the 73-member House of Representatives and three women in the 30-member Senate.
She stressed that despite women making up more than half of Liberia’s population, their participation in national decision-making remains far below what is required for equity, balanced representation, and effective governance.
“This should concern us all,” Madam Darwolor declared. “We must act now to ensure that half of our country’s talent, expertise, experience, and leadership potential is not excluded from decision-making.”
She further pointed to the gender imbalance at the local government level, where women occupy only a few county superintendent positions and remain minimally represented within traditional leadership structures.
Madam Darwolor urged participants to use the forum as a platform for honest dialogue, alliance-building, mentorship, and practical learning that would encourage more Liberian women not only to aspire to leadership, but also to receive the support necessary to lead successfully.
Former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor also addressed the gathering, sharing her personal leadership journey and encouraging aspiring women politicians to prioritize service to the people.
Reflecting on her years as First Lady and later as Senator of Bong County, she explained that her close relationship with ordinary citizens during difficult periods in Liberia’s history helped build trust and support among the people.
“When I contested for Senator of Bong County, the love was already there because I had served the people,” she explained. “My message was simple, education, health, commitment, and love for the people.”
She encouraged women seeking leadership positions to remain dedicated to service at all times and to place national responsibility above personal comfort.
“As you want to be a leader, you must first be committed to serving at all times,” she advised. “Leadership is a privilege.”
Also speaking at the forum, Senate Pro-Tempore Nyonblee Karngar-Lawrence encouraged aspiring female leaders to embrace love, integrity, courage, and unity as the foundation of leadership.
She stressed that leadership should never be driven solely by personal ambition, but by a sincere desire to improve the lives of the people.
“Leadership should not be about us. It should be about the people and the country,” she stated. “When you lead with love, it becomes easier to make the right decisions that create meaningful impact.”
Senator Karngar-Lawrence highlighted the importance of integrity and courage, particularly for women operating in male-dominated political spaces. She acknowledged the challenges women continue to face in the Liberian Senate, where only three out of thirty senators are women.
Despite the imbalance, she said women leaders must remain bold, principled, and determined in defending what is right for the nation.
She also called for greater unity among women in politics, warning that divisions among female aspirants often weaken their collective strength and create opportunities for male opponents to dominate elections.
“When women support one another and rally behind strong candidates, we increase our chances of representation,” she noted.
The Senate Pro-Tempore further encouraged women to support capable female leaders already serving in public office, emphasizing that experience and continuity are critical for effective governance.
Meanwhile, one of the participants, Madam Siah V. M. Herie, described the forum as a valuable opportunity for reflection, learning, and encouragement.
She said her political experiences in Districts #10 and #11 broadened her understanding of leadership and strengthened her belief in the importance of women’s participation in governance.
“I strongly believe that women need more opportunities to participate and expand their roles in leadership,” she said. “Women continue to prepare themselves, build their capacities, and contribute meaningfully to society.”
Madam Siah noted that although significant challenges still confront women in politics, Liberia has enormous potential for greater female representation if women work together and receive stronger support from society.
“People often say that women should support women, and that is true,” she stated. “But we must also involve our fathers, brothers, uncles, and sons in understanding that women deserve equal space and opportunity to participate in leadership and decision-making.”
Looking ahead to the 2029 elections, she expressed optimism about the growing political participation of women and encouraged aspiring female leaders to remain confident and determined.
“When you enter a race, you enter to win,” she emphasized. “You cannot go into a contest already believing you will fail.”
Madam Siah also spoke about the importance of affirmative action and the proposed 30 percent participation policy for women. While supporting increased inclusion, she stressed the importance of strategy, preparation, and personal effort.
“Women must continue to show commitment, engage with citizens, and demonstrate leadership,” she explained. “Affirmative action is important, but women must also organize themselves and connect with the electorate.”
She added that stronger electoral reforms and supportive legal frameworks could significantly improve women’s political participation and representation in Liberia.
The Sister Aid National Networking and Experience-Sharing Forum concluded with renewed calls for stronger collaboration among women leaders, civil society organizations, political institutions, and development partners to increase women’s political participation and representation across Liberia.
Participants described the event as inspiring and impactful, providing valuable mentorship, motivation, and strategic direction for the next generation of women leaders in Liberia.
Through initiatives such as the Women’s Political Participation Electoral Support Project, Sister Aid Liberia continues to play a leading role in promoting inclusive democracy and empowering women to actively shape the future of Liberia’s governance and development.
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