-The aptness of entrusting the female lawyer with the vice presidency.
By: Jerromie S. Walters
The winds of the October 10, 2023 general elections is rapidly blowing from all spectrums and in every corners of Liberia, especially with the kick-start of the campaign process that was recently announced by the National Elections Commission (NEC).
With the exuberance, and enthusiasm from both the campaigners and voters, the need for displaying the uniqueness and not only the negatives of politicians who are contesting for various post is duly intrinsic.
Not just from a broad perspective, but considering those exquisite characters whose stories are not really being told on a daily.
Unarguably, this can’t literally be done without the inclusion of the only female lawyer Cllr. Charlyne Brumskine, who hails from Buchanan, Grand Bassa County and YEKEPA, Nimba County, and is currently contesting at the level of the vice presidency, on the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP).
The young, vibrant, and well disciplined female lawyer and politician in Cllr. Charlyne Brumskine, is walking steadily with the Standard bearer of the Alternative National Congress (ANC), Alexander B. Cummings, who’s also the Political Leader of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP).
As this election remains critical for Liberians, having a female lawyer like Cllr. Brumskine running for the Vice presidency, has what it takes to increase the representation of women in politics. It provides an opportunity for women to see themselves reflected in leadership positions and encourages more women to become politically engaged.
A female lawyer like Cllr. Charlyne Brumskine running as vice president can bring attention to issues of gender equality and advocate for policies that promote equal rights and opportunities for women, considering that her legal expertise is unmatched, having founded and managed the rapidly growing CMB Law Group in Liberia for 20 years.
Undoubtedly, this has a lot in package for Liberians, as this is the kind of leader the state needs, and with the fact that she holds a Juris Doctor degree from Howard University School of Law in Washington D.C. and a Bachelor of Art degree in Political Science from Barnard College in New York.
Not just with this, her involvement in these processes can help to advance the cause of gender equality in society as a whole.
With the presence of Cllr. Brumskine, she has displayed herself as one that brings a unique perspective to the vice presidential race.
It’s a proven fact women often have different life experiences and priorities compared to their male counterparts, and having a female lawyer in the race can bring attention to issues that are particularly important to women, such as reproductive rights, healthcare, and work-life balanced.
Cllr. Brumskine running for the Vice Presidency doesn’t only heighten women political participation, but serves as a role model for young girls and women, showing them that they can aspire to any position they choose, including the second highest office in the land. This can inspire future generations of women to pursue careers in law, politics, or other leadership roles.
Moreover to uniqueness of her presence in the race, Cllr. Brumskine involvement in the general elections is in an effort to break stereotypes: By running for Vice president, a female lawyer like Charlyne challenges traditional gender stereotypes and demonstrates that women are capable of holding positions of power and leadership. Unarguably, this can help to break down barriers and change societal perceptions about women’s capabilities.
Overall, the significance of a female lawyer in a presidential election lies in the potential to advance gender equality, provide representation, bring unique perspectives, serve as a role model, and challenge stereotypes.
Cllr. Charlyne’s father, the late Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine, was constantly in the top four during Liberia’s last three postwars elections and in the 1990s served as Senator for Grand Bassa County — which is the Liberty Party’s stronghold.
Consistent with his daughter’s astuteness, Cllr. Brumskine secured the highest mark on last year’s Supreme Court bar exam — a sign of her preparedness to carry on the professional legacy of the late Cllr. Charles Walker Brumskine. Her potential candidacy as running mate to Cummings could set her up to exceed what her father tried to do for many years but fell short.
In addition to her commitment to the state and its people, Cllr. Brumskine is much more than just a legal luminary, as she’s also a generous philanthropist, dedicating 15% of her annual income to educating children from kindergarten to university.
She is a major donor to education in Grand Bassa County and Liberia through the Brumskine Family Foundation and has contributed over 500,000 LRD to Liberian government hospitals.
Cllr. Brumskine is a champion of gender rights, supporting women’s sports, and advocating against gender-based violence and abuse. She is also a sponsor and supporter of sports at both the county and national levels in Liberia. Her passion exceeds to the disadvantaged and vulnerable in society.
She provides loans for small businesses, distributes food and medication to elderly and disabled homes during holidays, and has helped reintegrate disadvantaged youths into society.
Cllr. Brumskine is a shining example of what it means to be a true leader and humanitarian.
What’s on their plate?
Like any other presidential and vice presidential candidatei, the Standard Bearer of the Collaborating Political Parties (CPP) Mr. Alexander B. Cummings and his running mate also have an intrinsic plans to transform the lives of Liberians.
The Cummings -Brumskine conglomeration guaranteed that the CPP will ensure quality and affordable education, and work towards providing free public education. Our primary focus will be on youth and adult education, especially vocational training to put Liberian’s first in line for new jobs.
The Collaborating Political Parties CPP’s short-term focus will provide access to free, quality national primary education, as well as a streamlined vocational educational system aligned with current private sector needs.
It considers construction, information technology, services, tourism, and manufacturing. Long term, we will reform higher education in Liberia by focusing on teachers’ training, innovate in education delivery and strengthen a Liberia’s network of colleges and universities.
“We will apologize to no one for enabling and prioritizing Liberian success at home. This will include from business to sports, music, movie and other forms of arts. If you have the dream and the drive, the Cummings-Brumskine-led government will help you thrive,” Cummings assures.
Mr. Cummings has been persistent in championing the establishment of a special anti-corruption court and enforcement mechanisms to hold corrupt officials accountable. By tackling corruption and ending wasteful spending, the campaign believes that Liberia will realize a more efficient and effective government. “We must end the mismanagement of our natural resources”, he repeats often.
Cummings’ CPP government is also aiming to institute the requisite political and governmental reforms with the goal of making all Liberians, including members of opposing political parties, genuine stakeholders in national governance.
Additionally, the party plans on Implementing the necessary reforms returns power to the people so that they have a direct say in choosing their local leaders, building institutions, including a reformed judicial system that fosters transparency and mitigates against corruption and supports the rule of law.
Cummings says his administration and its officials will be held to account and will leverage innovative technologies that automate some government processes, creating efficiency, transparency and cutting waste. By tackling corruption and ending wasteful spending, a Cummings-led government hopes that Liberia will realize a more efficient and effective government – one that works for all Liberians.
Consistent with his desire to subdue corruption, the CPP is aiming to create a special anti-corruption court, support and appropriately resource existing judicial institutions; and establish the enforcement mechanisms to hold corrupt officials accountable. The CPP under Cummings also aims to identify the positions where individuals are most likely to engage in corruption and publicize them so that identifying corruption is a public engagement.
Additionally, a Cummings-led government will also ensure that there is a balanced distribution of government spending, especially in terms of officials’ compensation and will push to reduce the compensation and benefits received by high-level government officials and increase those of lower-level officials and civil servants.
The Cummings-led government is looking to prioritize transparency and accountability through strengthening existing integrity institutions, setting high standards for accountability, including at the presidency, and balancing distribution of government spending such as reducing compensation & benefits of high-level government officials and increasing those of civil servants, including police, teachers, nurses, and others. Priority will be placed on eliminating wasteful spending.
The ABC-CPP-led government is also promising to establish independence of controlling, procuring, and auditing functions within government agencies and reform the judiciary system to ensure the efficient and effective administration of justice and to protect the rights of every Liberian. The Cummings agenda also plans on utilizing technology to automate government processes.
On foreign policy and security, the Cummings-led CPP is pledging to sustain the peace and ensure that the security of the Liberian people is the top priority.
Mr. Cummings’ CPP is vowing to commit itself to modernizing security forces, improving relations with our West African neighbors, and expanding our economic and diplomatic relationships across the world.