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ADNews-Monrovia, Liberia: Several young women from various organizations and communities across Monrovia gained vast knowledge in capacity building aimed at enhancing their leadership skills and promoting equal political participation in national decision-making
The two-day “Young Women Political Organizing Lab” training, which ran from June 19 to 20, 2925, organized by Campaign for Human Rights and Development (CHRD) under the theme Building Women’s Political Power for Inclusive Democracy focuses on amplifying women’s voices, and equipping them with tools to lead with confidence, clarity, and courage.
The Lab training explored topics ranging from effective leadership and feminist politics to public speaking, policy advocacy, digital rights, and accountability.
Princess N. Boygeh,one of the participants, described the training as an eye-opener.
“This training opened my mind to understand issues affecting women and how to find the right mechanisms to address them,” she said. “If we don’t know our rights and speak up about what affects us, we will remain marginalized in society.”
Princess added that the workshop inspired her to support other women who feel excluded from national decision-making processes.
For Patricia G. Chea, Coordinator of Determined Girls Empowerment Network, the training significantly strengthened her public speaking abilities and expanded her political knowledge.
“One of the key things I’ve gained is knowing my rights in political participation and enhancing my public speaking skills,” Patricia emphasized.
Speaking at the event, CHRD Executive Director, Jonathan M.D. Yanzee, highlighted the importance of the initiative in promoting inclusive democracy.
“This event marks a powerful step in our collective commitment to strengthening the political voices and leadership of women in Liberia,” he stated. “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 praised the participants for their dedication and underscored the need for continued investment in women’s political empowerment.
“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.
He also extended gratitude to co-organizers ActionAid Liberia and acknowledged the contributions of ambassadors, civil society leaders, and facilitators who supported the event.
In a special address, Dr. Kerstin Jonsson Cissé, Chargé d’Affaires at the Embassy of Sweden, called on women in leadership to confront gender-based expectations and challenges.
“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,” she said. “Half of the world’s population is women, but we are not equally represented in decision-making bodies.”
Dr. Cissé noted that in Liberia, statistics show only one woman for every seven men in top-level decision-making positions.
“Yet, in the face of these challenges, we find inspiration in your resilience. This is an opportunity to contribute to enforcing gender equality and political representation in Liberia today,” she concluded.
South African Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Iqbal Jhazbhay, also stressed the need for collective efforts to boost women’s progress in the country.
“We must organize ourselves to bring about meaningful change in Liberia,” he stated. “We hope this initiative will open further opportunities such as scholarships for educational advancement abroad.”
Cuban Ambassador to Liberia, H.E. Indira Lopez Arguelles, emphasized the indispensable role women play in society.
“We are the mothers who train every child to become who they are. We have the power to shift the narrative,” she said. “Stay focused and resilient in ensuring women take the lead in decision-making.”
The Young Women Political Organizing Lab concludes with a strong call to action: for young women to rise, lead, and reshape Liberia’s political future together.
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