Liberian Women Leaders Unite to Demand Greater Female Political Representation Ahead of 2029

May 30, 2026

By Lazota Bility

Women from diverse political, religious, and professional backgrounds across Liberia have united in a renewed call for greater female participation and representation in the country’s political leadership ahead of the 2029 elections.

The women gathered on Wednesday, May 27, 2026, at the Paynesville Town Hall for a networking and experience-sharing forum aimed at addressing the myths, challenges, and barriers that continue to limit women’s participation in Liberia’s political landscape a space still largely dominated by men in both the House of Representatives and the Senate.

The gathering brought together women political aspirants, elected leaders, development partners, civil society organizations, political actors, youth representatives, and advocates committed to advancing women’s political participation and inclusive governance in Liberia.Chanting their popular solidarity song, “Side by side, no longer women at the back and the men at the front; together we will walk side by side,” participants vowed to stand shoulder to shoulder with their male counterparts in the fight for increased female representation in decision-making spaces come 2029.

The networking and experience-sharing forum was organized by SisterAid Liberia under the Liberia Electoral Support Project.

The event served as a strategic platform for reflection, alliance building, and collective action on the structural barriers that continue to hinder women’s full participation in political and public life.

Providing an overview of the initiative, SisterAid Liberia Executive Director Madam Miatta Garmai Darwolor expressed appreciation to the project’s development partners and collaborators, including the European Union, the Embassy of Sweden, UN Women, UNDP, and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy for their continued support toward inclusive democratic participation in Liberia.

According to Madam Darwolor, the partnership with these institutions has helped create enabling spaces for women to engage in leadership and governance discussions.She emphasized that while some progress has been made, significant gaps still exist in women’s political participation in Liberia.

“Women currently hold approximately 10.7 percent of seats in Liberia’s Legislature eight in the House of Representatives and three in the Liberian Senate,” she noted, describing the figures as evidence of the continued underrepresentation of women in elected decision-making spaces.

Speaking at the program, Representative Moima Briggs Mensah called on women across Liberia to unite and support one another politically, regardless of personal differences.

“It is time for us to stand up and rub shoulders with these men. Let’s hold hands and support each other. You may not like me or like the other women, but please support us to have more women at the table of decision-making. For me, I won’t give up,” she declared.

Also speaking at the event, Senate Pro Tempore Nyounblee Karnga-Lawrence urged women to remain disciplined, committed, and fearless in their pursuit of leadership positions.“We have to discipline ourselves as women.

Let’s be committed to what we do without fear. Let us be ready to stand for a cause even if no one wants to stand for us. That is exactly what makes us unique,” she said.

UN Women Deputy country RepYemi Falayajo also highlighted the strength and influence women can achieve when they unite to support one another politically and socially.“Over the years, I have started to wonder the majority of voters are women, yet we continue to have limited women representation in our Legislature. Women, who are you really voting for?

It is now time we vote for ourselves and support our fellow women,” the representative emphasized.

The forum also featured a panel discussion moderated by Madam Lisa T. Diasay and Madam Caroline Bowah under the theme: “Winning Beyond Elections: Women Leadership and Political Influence in Liberia.”

Former Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor, alongside other women leaders and participants, engaged in discussions centered on women’s lived experiences in political leadership and the challenges confronting female politicians and aspirants in Liberia.

Women leaders at the event lauded SisterAid Liberia and its partners for organizing what they described as a timely and inspiring initiative aimed at preparing and empowering women ahead of the 2029 elections.

Participants highlighted several barriers that continue to constrain women’s political participation and leadership, including high campaign and participation costs, limited access to financing, weak political networks and sponsorship opportunities, inadequate enforcement of inclusion commitments within political parties, and harmful gender norms and stereotypes that discourage women from pursuing public leadership.