KAIPTC’S Women, Peace and Security Institute Undertakes Activities in Liberia towards credible Elections

Liberia, Sept 22- Oct 13 2017: Liberia has made impressive efforts at consolidating its burgeoning democracy by organizing two peaceful elections after a decade of armed conflict. However, recognizing electoral democracy by holding elections and alternating parties in power does not provide sufficient evidence that a country is achieving democracy[1]. Recognizing fundamental human rights and proving equal opportunity for both men and women to fully and actively participate in politics and decision-making forms the core of democracy and essential to the achievement of sustainable development and peace in all contexts — during peace, through conflict and post-conflict, and during political transitions[2].

In recent past decade, the crucial role of women in sustaining peace and deepening the democracy of Liberia cannot be underestimated. They frequently organized peace programmes, participated in the national reconciliation activities, aided the government in bringing about democratic elections by actively participating in the electioneering processes, facilitated inter-religious prayer sessions and peace march, among others. This to a larger extent has helped maintain the peace of Liberia.

In support of the unflinching efforts of women in establishing permanent peace in Liberia, the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) under the auspices of the Women, Peace and Institute (WPSI) organized and also participated in series of activities all aimed at supporting efforts in consolidating Liberia’s democracy, and most especially promoting women’s active participation in electoral processes. Activities included:

• ELECTION COLLOQUIUM which was organized on 20^th September 2017 by the Faculty of Academic Affairs and Research of the KAIPTC and the Liberian Peacebuilding Office under the theme: “Ensuring Credible Elections and Peaceful Political Transition in Liberia”. The programme was attended by over one hundred (100) participants from political parties, the National Elections Commission (NEC), independent state institutions, security agencies, civil society organizations, academia, students, the diplomatic corps, development partners, domestic and international election observers and the media.
• ELECTION OBSERVATION TRAINING FOR GRASSROOT WOMEN-A four-day training course on election observation under the theme ‘Using women as agents of peace in Liberia’s presidential and representative elections’. The training was undertaken with support from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection of Liberian. The training took place in Gbarnga in Bong County and had 25 participants in attendance. Further, the training sought to;

1. Build the capacity of grass-root women from the local communities to be able to effectively monitor and observe Liberia’s 2017 electoral process;
2. Use the participants as watchdogs and agents of peace in their respective counties and communities; and
3. Secure primary information on the challenges women encounter in their quest to actively participate and get elected into the legislative wing of government.

• ELECTION OBSERVATION TRAINING FOR STAFF OF THE PEACEBUILDING OFFICE (PBO) OF LIBERIA- The training took place on October 5, 2017 at the PBO premises. Participants were introduced to election observation and how to keep safe in the field while observing, the role of the observer with regards to the electoral Code of Conduct, the Liberian Electoral Law and Constitution and observation checklist for Election Day.

• WPSI COLLABORATION WITH WOMEN SITUATION ROOM (WSR): The Women’s Situation Room (WSR) is a non-partisan women’s peacebuilding mechanism to mitigate conflict before, during and after elections in African countries. It mobilizes women in collaboration with the youth to lobby and advocate stakeholders to support the call for peaceful elections. The WPSI collaborated with the WSR to harmonizing efforts and enhance expected impact. In fulfilling its obligation to the collaboration, WPSI carried out specific trainings for the WSR Eminent Women in mediation, negotiations and conflict analysis; and early warning systems. It also trained its Peace Monitor on Election Day monitoring for the WSR. Lastly, the team also under accreditation from the WSR partook in observation on the Election Day.

[1]  Jaquette, J. S. (2005). Women and Democracy: Past, Present, Future. Stanford.

[2]  Puri, L. (2011, November 23). The Role of Women in Democratic Transition. Retrieved October 11, 2017, from UN Women: http://www.unwomen.org/en/news/stories/2011/11/the-role-of-women-in-democratic-transition