In Support of Women’s Leadership, Liberian Leaders Call for “Positive Masculinity”
September 10, 2025
Monrovia: The Liberia National Chapter of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) convened its first dialogue on positive masculinity, a gathering aimed at reshaping cultural attitudes toward women’s leadership and advancing gender equality.
Delivering the welcome remarks, Ambassador Marjon V. Kamara, President of AWLN highlighted the significance of the moment, “This dialogue has been a long time in the making.
The need to engage men in the active promotion of women’s rights is apparent and acute. We seek to form a partnership with men to bring greater momentum and vibrancy to our advocacy for women’s equal participation.”
Ambassador Kamara underscored AWLN’s mission of expanding women’s leadership across Africa, noting that Liberia’s chapter has been active since 2019 and is now prioritizing youth engagement and intergenerational dialogue.
Former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf gave a stirring address, recalling her own journey in a male-dominated political landscape. She stressed that while Liberia has made strides, progress remains uneven, “One-woman president after 184 years that’s tokenism.
We need to reach a place where women compete and win not by token, but by effort, by initiative, and by performance. The real challenge is changing the minds and attitudes of men, so they see women as equals their wives, daughters, and colleagues.”
Sirleaf called on Liberia to once again “shine in setting the example” by embracing gender equality and ensuring international conventions on women’s rights are not only signed but domesticated into national law.
Representing Vice President Jeremiah Kpan-Koung, Justice Minister and Acting Chair of the Cabinet Cllr. N. Oswald Tweh delivered the keynote address.
He framed positive masculinity as essential for Liberia’s future: “Traditional ideas of masculinity often emphasize dominance and strength, which inadvertently fuel violence and inequality.
Positive masculinity means redefining strength as accountability, partnership, and respect. It is about empowering those around us and building a society where gender equality is the norm, not the exception.”
He emphasized that engaging men and boys as allies is vital, describing them as “the gatekeepers of social norms and the source of cultural change.”
The event, supported by the German government and the United Nations Development Programme, brought together policymakers, civil society leaders, and youth advocates. Organizers say the dialogue will become an annual fixture, fostering alliances between women and men to accelerate gender equality in Liberia.
As Sirleaf reminded participants, “Liberia has always stood out. Now let us stand out again by breaking the cycle of inequities and building a society where men and women walk side by side as equals.”
