Salala – Bong County Electoral District 6 Representative, Moima Briggs-Mensah, has called on women across Liberia to unite and support one another to increase female representation in the National Legislature.
Speaking in her native Kpelleh dialect during a town hall meeting in Salala on Saturday, April 25, Rep. Briggs-Mensah emphasized that unity among women is essential to achieving greater political participation, leadership, and influence in decision-making processes.
“Women must stand together and uplift each other so that more women can take seats at the decision-making table,” she stressed.
The town hall meeting forms part of ongoing nationwide engagements aimed at promoting women’s participation in governance and leadership.
Rep. Briggs-Mensah acknowledged the presence of the Ambassador of India to Liberia, Manoj Bihari Verma and expressed appreciation to the governments of India, Brazil and South Africa for their continued support to women legislators through the IBSA Fund.
She noted that she remains the only female lawmaker among Bong County’s seven electoral districts, highlighting the urgent need for increased female participation in politics.
The lawmaker also used the platform to speak against harmful traditional practices, particularly Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), urging communities to abandon such practices while embracing education and skills training for both girls and boys.
She emphasized that progress does not mean abandoning culture, but rather transforming it positively.
During the interactive session, women from various communities shared their economic activities and challenges.
A representative of a cassava farming group outlined their agricultural efforts, while a traditional midwife appealed for support to improve maternal healthcare services.
Participants also described informal savings schemes in which women contribute weekly to support small businesses, but noted that the funds remain insufficient.
They called for assistance in securing land for market spaces, access to loans and financial support to sustain rice farming and expand educational opportunities beyond high school.
The General Town Chief highlighted ongoing potato farming activities and requested support for acquiring a rice mill to boost productivity.
The event featured a vibrant cultural welcome for the Indian Ambassador, including the presentation of kola nuts and white rice by traditional leaders, symbolizing sincerity and goodwill.
Women’s groups also performed solidarity songs, including “Side by Side,” reflecting unity and shared purpose.
In his remarks, Ambassador Manoj Bihari Verma emphasized the importance of inclusive, community-centered governance.
“Inclusive governance must be rooted in communities, where participation is strong and communication is open,” he said.
“This initiative reflects a shared commitment across the Global South to ensure that development is participatory and responsive to the needs of the people.”
He added that India’s experience demonstrates that empowering women leads to more resilient, equitable, and prosperous societies, reaffirming his country’s commitment to supporting Liberia through the IBSA partnership.
The town hall meeting attracted more than 300 women from surrounding communities.
Also in attendance were representatives from UN Women, including Tsega Gebremeskel, and Bendu Kamara of the Community Health Initiative (CHI), along with members of the local media.
Following the engagement, Rep. Briggs-Mensah escorted the Ambassador on a tour of her vocational training school currently under construction, which aims to equip women with practical skills for economic empowerment.
The town hall meeting is part of a broader initiative supported by the IBSA Fund and UN Women.
The Women Legislative Caucus of Liberia (WLCL) is implementing a US$1 million, 18-month project titled “Women Legislators in Liberia Promoting Voice, Leadership, and Gender-Responsive Governance for Sustainable Development” (2025–2027).
The project seeks to strengthen institutional capacity, promote gender-responsive lawmaking, and enhance women’s leadership at both national and community levels.
Liberia remains at a critical stage in electoral reform. Despite advocacy efforts, including a 2014 amendment encouraging political parties to field at least 30% women candidates, women’s representation in the Legislature remains around 11 percent due to the lack of enforceable mechanisms. Although a mandatory gender quota bill was passed in 2022, it did not receive Executive approval.
As part of efforts to build public support for reform, the WLCL is conducting community consultations and town hall meetings across eight counties and eleven locations from April 12–25, 2026.
