Monrovia – Monica Geingos, Former First Lady of Namibia and Chairperson of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center, delivered a powerful address during the Center’s fifth-year celebration in Monrovia. Her speech, rich with historical references and lessons, emphasized the importance of gender equality and the need for increased political representation for women.
Speaking before a distinguished audience that included Liberian President Joseph Boakai, Former Presidents Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Sahle-Work Zewde of Ethiopia, and Olusegun Obasanjo of Nigeria, as well as Madame Bineta Diop of Senegal, Geingos reflected on Africa’s intertwined history of struggle and solidarity. She invoked the personal history of her late husband, Former Namibian President Hage Geingob, who carried Liberian, Senegalese, and Sierra Leonean passports while in exile during Namibia’s fight for independence.
Drawing Parallels Between History and Gender Equality
Geingos emphasized the enduring struggle against oppression, linking Namibia’s anti-apartheid struggle to the ongoing fight for gender parity. She recalled how Ethiopia and Liberia challenged South Africa’s occupation of Namibia at the International Court of Justice in 1960. The case was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds, but Namibia’s liberation movement pressed forward, illustrating the importance of institutional backing and persistence in overcoming systemic oppression.
She warned that while racism and imperialism have become less overt, their influence remains strong. “Changing societal norms and discourse around human rights didn’t eliminate oppression; it just required it to be quieter. But now, racism and misogyny are becoming loud again,” she said.
Lessons for Gender Equality Advocates: Geingos outlined six key lessons from Africa’s liberation struggles that could be applied to gender equality:
Unity Beyond Ethnicity and Gender
She highlighted that apartheid was both racist and misogynistic, marginalizing not only Black people but also white women. “When we allow ourselves to be divided along ethnic or gender lines, we weaken our own progress.”
On self-reliance, she reminded the audience that Namibia’s independence came from within, not from international institutions. Similarly, women must rely on collective advocacy and male allies to drive real change.
For intergenerational solidarity, she just as liberation movements thrived on solidarity across generations, gender equality efforts must include and elevate diverse voices, particularly young women, she said.
Political Representation as a Priority
Geingos cited Namibia’s political strides, where female representation in parliament jumped from 27% to 50% through a political party’s internal policies rather than legislative mandates. “Politics decides who gets what, when. Women must be at the table,” she stressed.
Overcoming Internalized Oppression
Drawing from apartheid’s efforts to justify racial superiority, she noted that some women internalize patriarchal mindsets, reinforcing their own subjugation. “We must believe in ourselves and reject imposed inferiority.”
Strategic Political Action – Using Namibia’s example, she showed how political commitment—such as the ruling party’s 50/50 quota—can yield tangible results without legislative battles.
The Future of Women’s Leadership in Africa
Geingos praised the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for championing women’s leadership and fostering initiatives like the Amujae program, which mentors female leaders. She acknowledged President Sirleaf as an institution in her own right, saying, “By telling her story, we tell the story of possibility for all women.”
She also celebrated the upcoming inauguration of Namibia’s first female President, Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, as a significant milestone in African leadership. “Like President Sirleaf, she was elected on her merits, not because she is a woman,” Geingos noted.
A Call to Action
Geingos closed with a challenge to leaders and advocates to remain steadfast in the fight for gender equality. She stressed that gender parity is not just a moral imperative but an economic necessity, citing African Development Bank statistics that estimate gender inequality costs Africa $95 billion annually in lost productivity. “Supporting women’s leadership is not charity; it is an investment in governance, economic growth, and regional stability.”
Reaffirming the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Center’s commitment to empowering women across Africa, Geingos urged stakeholders to stand on the right side of history. “Let us learn from history, lest we repeat its mistakes. The future of female leadership will be determined by what we do now.”
As the event concluded, attendees praised Geingos’ compelling message and the Center’s ongoing efforts to foster a new generation of female leaders across Africa.
