Liberia: InfoQuest Launches Gender-Sensitive Legislative Monitoring Project

MONROVIA- As part of an effort to enhance legislative accountability and responsiveness through increased monitoring and advocacy, InfoQuest, a non-governmental organization, has commenced its Gender-Sensitive Legislative Monitoring Project.

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By Francis G. Boayue

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The project, which began in January 2025, focuses on tracking gender-sensitive legislative engagements, monitoring lawmakers’ responsiveness to gender-related issues, and promoting civic engagement in gender-sensitive governance.

The Acting Executive Director of InfoQuest Mr. Ezekiel Allen, in a press conference on Thursday, February 27, 2025, said the initiative is aimed at underscoring the importance of gender-responsive governance in Liberia and seeks to drive policy changes that promote equity in legislative processes.

He emphasized that the project in its first month, has made significant strides, including formal engagement with the Legislature, securing official protocols for monitoring activities, and initiating discussions with key stakeholders, such as the Speaker’s Office and committee chairpersons.

According to him, four legislative monitors (two males, and two females) were trained in gender-sensitive legislative monitoring and equipped with manual tracking tools that would later be integrated into the digital system.

He further said on January 30, 2025, the first monitoring session revealed significant gender disparities in legislative representation, with 43 male legislators present compared to only 6 female legislators. The session also included discussions on key legislative matters, such as the Rivercess Community Development Act, which aims to improve community development but lacks specific gender-focused provisions.