-But the report reveals Gender disparity in the legislature employment
By Jerromie S. Walters
The Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD) unveiled its 2024 Legislative Performance Monitoring Midterm Scorecard over the weekend in Monrovia, with slightly discouraging results for female lawmakers, especially at the House of Representatives.
This comprehensive report evaluates the performance of Liberia’s 55th Legislature against established international standards in critical areas such as representation, oversight, lawmaking, institutional performance, gender sensitivity, and support for essential legislative bodies, including the Legislative Information Service, Legislative Budget Office, and the Central Department.
Among the 11 female lawmakers in the 55th Legislature, IREDD was able to assess only eight. In the Senate, Nyonblee K. Lawrence and Botoe Kanneh distinguished themselves as the only two women lawmakers with the highest attendance, earning an ‘A’ for attending between 40-44 sessions. Meanwhile, nine senators, including Darbah Varpilah, who attended between 30-40 sessions, received an average attendance score of ‘B.’
At the House of Representatives, only three—Ellen Attoh Wreh, Yatu Rugie Barry, and Marie G. Johnson—achieved an impressive ‘A’ grade. In stark contrast, 20 representatives, including Priscilla A. Cooper, were among 19 lawmakers who received an ‘F’ grade.
More of the report:
The objective of the IREDD Legislative Performance Monitoring Midterm Scorecard is to strengthen transparency and accountability in the Liberian legislature to promote inclusive and accountable governance in Liberia. The Institute for Research and Democratic Development (IREDD) conducted this evaluation using the Legislative Performance Scorecard (LPS).
This tool provides citizens and stakeholders with evidence-based insights into the Legislature’s Effectiveness, facilitating informed discussions about its role in the governance process and Identifying areas for necessary reform. Also, the Report is a product of collaboration involving the Medica Moda coalition and the Institute for Research and Democratic Development.
The report presents a comprehensive assessment of the performance of the 55th Legislature, evaluating its adherence to best international practices in several key areas: representation, Oversight, lawmaking, institutional performance, gender sensitivity, and support for essential organs such as the Legislative Information Service, Legislative Budget Office, and the Central Department.
While the report minimally addresses the tracking of legislators’ participation in Plenary, its primary focus is on the broader functions of oversight, the lawmaking environment, and the mechanisms of representation that effectively connect legislators with their Constituents.
The aim is to uncover legislative practices and systems that have become dangerously anti-democratic and are undermining the Liberian people’s development aspirations. The report Delves into issues such as abuses of legislative privileges, underrepresentation, and self-serving Lawmaking, all eroding public trust in the Legislature and threatening the foundation of democracy in Liberia.
For the House of Senate, IREDD found that 10 Senators, including the Pro-Tempore Nyonblee K. Lawrence, Abraham D. Dillon, J. Emmanuel Nuquay, Albert T. Chie, Augustine S. Chea, Simeon B. Taylor, Nemene T. H. Bartekwa, Willington Geevon Smith, Botoe Kanneh, Joseph Jallah accrued “A,” while 9 Senators: Darbah Varpilah, Prince K. Moye, Saah Joseph, Nathaniel F. McGill, J. Gble Bo Brown, Thomas Y. Nimely, Jonathan BoyCharles Sogbie, Momo T. Cyrus, Johnny K. Kpeheq were graded “B”
6 Senators, Crayton O. Duncan, James P. Biney, Zoe Emmanuel Penue, Prince Johnson, Gbehzohngar M. Findley, and Amara Konneh, got “C” and 2 Senators: Bill Twehway and Francis Dopoh had the lowest score of (D). One senator, Alex Jeneka Tyler, received an (NG) due to his assignment with ECOWAS.
In the House of Representatives, 18 lawmakers received an (A) for higher attendance, while 20 lawmakers received an (F) for continued absence during the first and second quarters of legislative sections. Representatives: Yatu Rugie Barry, Dorwohn Twain Gleekia, Prince Koinah, Eugine J.M. Kollie, Foday F. Fahnbulleh, Matthew Joe, Thomas A. Goshua, Thomas P. Fallah, Augustine B. Chiewolo, Marie G. Johnson, Thomas Romeo Quioh, Isaac B. Choloplay Wuo, Johnson S.N. Williams Sr., Amarka Ellen Attoh Wreh, Mike P. Jurry, Anthony F. Williams, Austin B. Taylor, Steve Tequah acquired grand of ‘’A’’.
On the other hand, 20 Representatives: Sekou S. Kanneh, Sumo Kollie Mulbah, Priscilla A. Cooper, Samuel Regen Enders, Emmanuel Dahn, Prince A. Toles, Frank Saah Foko, Yekeh Y. Kolubah, Richard Nagbe Koon, Jerry K. Yorgbor Sr., Edward P. Flomo, Muka Kerkula Kamara, Abu Bana Kamara, Dixon W. Seboe, Bernard Blue Benson, Samuel N. Brown Sr., Nyahn G. Flomo, Nehkar E. Gaye, Momo Siafa Kpoto, Alexander Poure acquired F.
Gender Sensitivity
Meanwhile, the report emphasized that the Liberian Legislature has demonstrated a significant lack of focus on gender considerations in its operations, policies, and staffing. Women legislators face numerous challenges, including limited support, a lack of opportunities, and a hostile environment. The Legislature has also failed to implement key legislation, such as the Affirmative Action for Equitable Participation and Representation Act of 2016, aimed at promoting gender equality and inclusivity.
Gender disparity in the legislature manifests in employment practices. Only 4 out of 103 Chief of Office Staff are women, indicating a significant gender imbalance. Women legislators lack specialized support to enhance their strategic communication skills and influence legislative outcomes.
The Legislature’s offices are not easily accessible to individuals with disabilities, reflecting a broader insensitivity towards inclusive practices. The government has failed to implement the, which aims to promote gender equality and inclusivity.
Lawmaking
The Liberian Legislature faces significant challenges in fulfilling its core functions due to weak infrastructure, limited capacity, and procedural deficiencies. These challenges hinder effective lawmaking, oversight, and accountability.
Many legislators lack the knowledge, skills, and resources necessary for effective lawmaking and oversight. Additionally, the Legislature lacks basic modern equipment, such as an electronic voting system and appropriate committee hearing equipment, further limiting its effectiveness. The Legislature’s archives and libraries are in disarray, making it difficult for lawmakers to access important documents and conduct research.
The Legislature also faces challenges in maintaining and circulating the legislative journal and ensuring accurate and timely reporting of debates. These challenges contribute to lawmakers’ struggles in articulating and substantiating their positions effectively and the Legislature’s inability to transcribe and publish testimonies and results from public hearings.
Moreover, the Liberian Legislature has demonstrated a self-serving focus, prioritizing its financial and re-election interests over the development needs of its constituents. This is evident in the allocation of public funds and the failure to address critical issues such as access to safe drinking water, unemployment, and revenue generation more concretely.
County Service Centers, intended to provide essential services to citizens in outlying counties, are grossly underfunded. Finally, the absence of permanent technical staff to support oversight committees undermines their ability to perform their functions effectively, leading to bills being piled up in committee rooms, inadequate oversight, and suboptimal policy-making.
