The Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), Liberia’s leading women’s rights organization, has called on Nimba County District #5 Representative Samuel Kogar to publicly retract his recent statement and issue a formal apology to the women of Liberia. During a recent engagement in Nimba County, Kogar discouraged citizens from voting for women in the upcoming senatorial by-election, citing outdated traditional norms. He suggested that women should only be seen when a man speaks and claimed that no woman could replace the late Senator Prince Johnson, except himself.
WONGOSOL condemned Kogar’s remarks as deeply offensive and a direct affront to women candidates in the race, as well as to all Liberian women aspiring to participate in politics. In a statement released on Monday, the organization warned that failure to retract the statement and apologize would result in further action. “We will not allow such rhetoric to go unchallenged. We will ensure that our voices resound in Nimba’s election and across Liberia to defend the rights of women to participate fully in the democratic process,” the statement read.
Kogar, who was recently endorsed as the senatorial candidate for the Movement for Democracy and Reconstruction (MDR) following the passing of Senator Prince Johnson, has no authority to declare women unfit for political office, WONGOSOL emphasized.
The lawmaker has also been involved in controversial political maneuvers. He was among the members of the House of Representatives who ousted embattled Speaker Cllr. J. Fonati Koffa and controversially elected Montserrado County District #11 Representative Richard Nagbe Koon as Speaker in November 2024. Koon, backed by Kogar, has since branded himself as “the regime speaker.” Additionally, Kogar was part of the “Majority Bloc” that removed Representative Moima Briggs-Mensah, a gender advocate, as Chair of the Committee on Gender, Children, and Protection, replacing her with Representative Johnson Williams, who has no track record of advancing gender issues.
Liberia’s Struggle for Women’s Representation
WONGOSOL highlighted that Liberia is still struggling to meet the 30% gender quota for women’s representation in government. Kogar’s comments, the organization argued, undermine ongoing efforts to promote women’s leadership and political participation. The group noted that women in Nimba County have previously held and effectively served in leadership roles, making significant contributions to governance and national development.
Currently, only three of Liberia’s senators are women, a stark reminder of the gender imbalance in the country’s political system. WONGOSOL described Kogar’s remarks as a major setback to progress in advocating for women’s political empowerment and leadership. The organization stressed that elections should be based on competence, vision, and service to the people, not gender.
WONGOSOL also criticized the hypocrisy in Kogar’s statement, noting that women are actively involved in running his campaign in Nimba County. The group accused him of seeking votes from women while dismissing their leadership potential, calling it a direct insult to the very women whose support he needs in the upcoming election.
As Liberia’s leading advocate for women’s rights, WONGOSOL remains committed to advancing gender equality and increasing women’s participation in decision-making. The organization continues to amplify the voices of women and ensure their full participation in Liberia’s democratic processes.
About WONGOSOL
The Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) is Liberia’s leading umbrella organization dedicated to championing women’s rights and empowerment. Its mission is to amplify the voices of women, promote gender equality, and advocate for increased women’s participation in decision-making. WONGOSOL continues to play a pivotal role in advancing the rights and leadership of women across Liberia.
