PHOTO: Participants who attended the dialogue on violence against women
By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
The National Elections Commission (NEC) has called on Liberians to do all they can to curb violence against women and vulnerable people during the elections in the country.
The NEC Commissioner with oversight on gender, Josephine Kou-Gaye said infliction of violence on women and vulnerable people during elections constitutes a violation of human rights.
Commissioner Gaye made the call when she delivered the keynote speech at the start of a three-day dialogue organized by the National Elections Commission with funding from the UN Women, Irish Aid and Sweden Sverige in Monrovia.
According to her, women and people living with disabilities have over the years faced challenges due to the socio-economic and political situation that existed in the country those days.
“These were some of the issues that prevented people living with disabilities and women from full participation in the electoral process,” she said; adding: “as a country, we need to address these challenges and difficulties in order for these sectors of the people can fully participate in the electoral process and represent others.”
“We must put in place mechanisms that will work for the good of all the citizens including women and disabled people regardless of their status in the society. The National Elections Commission is the first institution that they can start along with the political parties in the implementation of the protocol that forbids violence against women and less fortunate people during the elections.”
Also speaking, the Deputy Executive Director for Programs at the National Elections Commission, Attorney Nathan Garbie, women and disabled people are still experiencing marginalization through due to their vulnerability.
Attorney Garbie said the commission and its partners wants to see an election free of violence against women and people living with disabilities.
During the deliberation, participants discussed electoral violence and violence against women in elections and politics, the major tenets of the Vawie protocol signed by political parties, dialogue engagement between participants on the implementation and monitoring of the Viewe protocol and plan of action and guided discussion and development of a strategy
The facilitators included Leisel Talery, Gender Director, NEC; Manakabay Donzo, Senior Gender Officer, NEC; Miatta Darwolor and Esther Yango Executive Director, Women Nongovernmental and Civil Society Organizations of Liberia
The dialogue, which was held under the theme: “Promoting Inclusive and safe Environment for the Participation of Women in Elections and Politics,” and it brought together representatives from government ministries, relevant institutions and women and political organizations.