BYTHE WOMEN DELEGATION ATTENDING THE FOURTH ANNUAL WEST AFRICAN WOMEN'S POLICY FORUM IN MONROVIA, LIBERIA
Thirty-three days to the 2011 Liberia Presidential and Legislative Elections, women from across West Africa and beyond, convened at the Ministry of Youth and Sports Conference Centre in Monrovia, Liberia for the 4th Annual West African Women's Policy Forum themed:"Win With Women: Best Practices in Promoting Women's Quantitative and Qualitative Representation in Decision Making"to discuss and discern unique strategies to significantly increase women's active participation and numerical representation in decision-making and ascendancies. With over 60 women representing nine (9) countries in West Africa[1] and four (4) from other part of the globe in attendance, the forum unknotted various impediments limiting women's visibilities in politically elected positions and across all levels of leadership and governance in West Africa.
At the end of the 2-day conference, the West African women delegation reiterated the importance of the forthcoming general elections not only for the people of Liberia, but for the sub-region, continent and indeed the international community at large. The women particularly recognised the enthusiasm of the people of Liberia towards making another historic decision as they elect a new set of democratic leaders who will govern the country for another five (5) years come October 11, 2011.
Similarly, the delegation expressed its appreciation to the National Elections Commission of Liberia (NEC) and other authorized Electoral Monitoring Bodies (EMBs) who have worked tirelessly in ensuring the smooth running of the polls prior, during and after actual voting process. Furthermore, the women acknowledged allcandidates vying for positions for their demonstrated calmness, respect for both electoral and local laws, wishes to use this opportunity to appeal to candidates, political parties, and supporters to respect the results of the election and channel any grievances or challenges peacefully through established, administrative and legal frameworks.
The women's delegation specially entreats electorates to cast their votes for women candidates (both new and old) who have demonstrated outstanding leadership attributes and an unalloyed commitment towards constructive advancement of development agenda and in deepening ethics good governance in Liberia.
In addition, the delegationcalled on all stakeholders to support a credible and peaceful electoral process and do condemns any acts of electoral violence that intend to infringe or out-rightly hinder all electorates from freely expressing their civic right and democratic beliefs.
The delegation also wish to inform the good people of Liberia of the pioneer deployment of the newly established and accredited group of West African Women Elections Observation Team (WAWEO) to objectively observe the entire process (pre, during and post) of the upcoming general elections on behalf of West African women. The outcome of the observation as documented and reported by the team of WAWEO observers will be made available to respective stakeholders and indeed general public for necessary actions.
Finally, the women delegation would like to express their sincere appreciation to the competing candidates, party representatives, government and electoral officials, members of the media, other political/civic leaders who have been supporting the progress of the preparation for the elections and we strongly hope that this demonstrated peaceful nature will be maintained throughout the country before and after the October 11 general elections.
SIGNED:For: 4th Annual West African Women's Policy Forum delegates
[1] Nigeria, Liberia, Ghana, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Togo, Sierra Leone,
