Rev. Teah in a statement
By: Leila B. Gbati
The Organization of Indigenous Liberians (OIL) will officially launch on July 8, 2023, the popular awareness campaign for women’s political participation and equal representation in the October 10, 2023, elections.
OIL is a non-governmental organization established to advocate for women’s rights, equal participation, and representation across all sectors of Liberia.
In a statement on Tuesday, July 4, 2023, in Monrovia, Rev. Kafa B. Teah, OIL National Chairman, disclosed that the Women’s Rights and Equal Representation in the Fourth Coming October Election Campaign will be launched officially on Saturday, July 8, 2023, at Gardnersville Town Hall.
According to Rev. Teah, the campaign launch is intended to rally citizens’ votes for the women of Liberia to fully contest the election and have equal representation as representatives, senators, vice presidents, and presidential candidates.
He indicated that the campaign is based upon careful observation and study done to discover the failure of Liberia’s past and present leaders at the House of Parliament, with no tangible development initiative to prove Liberians wrong in their quest to call for a possible replacement come the October 10, 2023 elections.
“We want popular votes so that more women can be in the House, which requires numbers, so if we mobilize even in Monrovia out of 17 districts, if we can get 10 representatives, including other counties, we believe that if these women reach the House, their numbers will determine who becomes the next speaker for the women,” he added.
Rev. Teah noted that right after the launch of the campaign, they will start going from house to house, street to street, door to door, and markets in Monrovia with the message to support women candidates in the election.
However, he further mentioned that they sent a written communication inviting the Political Party Women Wing Chairpersons of all political parties in Liberia, including Unity Party, Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC), Alternative National Congress (ANC), All Liberian Party (ALP), and Liberty Party (LP), among others, to grace the occasion.
The OIL National Chairperson stated that written communication was also sent to independent aspirants, and for international community support of the indigenous call, the United States Embassy in Monrovia, through the good offices of the Deputy Democracy Rights and Governance Acting Good Friend Government Team Lead, Mr. Mulbah Forkpa (USAID), is expected to be part of the launching ceremony, as are representatives from the European Union, UN Women, and the Embassy of Sweden near Monrovia.
“The keynote speaker for this historic occasion is Senator of Gbarpolu County, Gboto Kanneh. Other chief executives invited to this political new direction of Liberian politics are H. E. Madam Jewel Howard Taylor, Vice President of Liberia; H. E. Madam Clar Marie Weah, First Lady, Republic of Liberia; and Senator Nyonblee Karnga Lawrence of Grand Bassa County, among many personalities to grace the occasion. The program will also show first-time registered voters who will join the campaign,” he asserted.
In conclusion, Rev. Teah said at the occasion that a special position statement will be issued for onward submission by the Deputy Minister for Administration, Ministry of Gender, Social, and Children Protection, to the Deputy Democracy, Rights, and Governance (USAID).
“The next phase of the awareness campaign will be held in Bong County on July 29, 2023, and the third phase will take place in Grand Bassa County on August 27, 2023, respectively,” he said.
Rev. Teah used the time to call on every woman and girl of voting age to come out in their numbers to grace the occasion and rally support for women’s rights and political representation for development and peace.
