PHOTO: Tamba F. Johnson
By Alfred Kollie, alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
The He For She Crusaders Liberia through its National Coordinator, Tamba F. J. Johnson is calling for more men engagement to ensure that Liberians (both women and men) support women vying for the pending by-elections.
The polls are scheduled to take place in November 2021 in Bomi, Bong, Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties.
According to him, women faces are usually increased during national events and not their voices at decision making processes, as such their representation in Peace and Security is gravely undermined.
“Liberia is far below the threshold of the 30% set by the UN for state parties to consider for women inclusion at all levels”. Currently women representation at the senate is at 2 females constituting 6.66% against 28 males and at representative 6 females constituting 8.21% to that of 67 males least talking about appointed positions at ministerial and local levels,’’ Mr. Johnson said.
Though Liberia is enjoying fragile peace, the peace must considered the culture of equality not necessarily equity, the he for she advocate added.
According to him, Liberia under the watch of “A He for She Champaign and A Feminist- In-Chief” must consider women empowerment, equal representation and participation.
Mr. Johnson was speaking on Monday September 20, 2021, ahead of this year’s International Men’s Day in Monrovia, He wants the upcoming by-elections serve as the turning point for women equal and representation in the country.
‘’Let this year be the turning point for women equal and representation. This year celebration of International Men’s Day, Global theme: is “Better relations between men and women” with a national theme: “Together, let us build a better relationship between men and women for a health society,” he noted.
Considering this call to action, Mr. Johnson is urging President George M. Weah to commit himself to women inclusion and protection as a priority of his government and take the campaign to engage more men to support women election during in this upcoming by-elections.
This year’s celebration of International Men’s Day will be held under the global theme: “Better relations between men and women” with a national theme: “Together, let us build a better relationship between men and women for a health society.
International Men’s Day is a global holiday celebrated annually on November 19 to recognize and celebrate the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of men.
The He for She advocacy group is at the same time calling on women to support women and stop the backbiting, noting that women constitute over 51% of the Liberian population, as such, there should be no reason why women should be underrepresented.