Monrovia, Liberia – September 3, 2026 – The Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) has commended President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr. for what it describes as his continued commitment to expanding women’s representation in key leadership and decision-making positions across his administration.
By Patience M. Jones
The organization particularly welcomed the recent appointment of a woman to serve as Liberia’s Minister of Justice and Attorney General, pending confirmation by the Liberian Senate.
WONGOSOL said the appointment carries significant national and institutional importance, particularly as Liberia advances key processes related to transitional justice, accountability, access to justice, peace and security.
“The Ministry of Justice occupies a pivotal position in Liberia’s governance, rule of law, peace and security architecture,” WONGOSOL said in a statement issued Wednesday.
According to the organization, women’s leadership within the justice sector is particularly important at a time when Liberia is working to strengthen the protection of women and girls, prevent and respond to gender-based violence, and implement commitments under the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.
WONGOSOL noted that Liberian women have historically played a crucial role in ending conflict, sustaining peace, promoting reconciliation and rebuilding communities.
However, it said women continue to face barriers to justice and remain underrepresented in many institutions where critical decisions about peace, security and justice are made.
The organization believes that the appointment of a woman as Liberia’s potential chief legal officer presents an opportunity to further strengthen gender-responsive justice and survivor-centered approaches to accountability.
It could also help advance the protection of women human rights defenders, improve access to justice for women and girls, and strengthen Liberia’s implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and the broader Women, Peace and Security Agenda.
WONGOSOL said it is looking forward to the nominee’s confirmation hearing before the Liberian Senate and called for a transparent process that will allow her to present her vision, priorities and preparedness to lead the Ministry of Justice.
The organization further pledged its readiness to work with the incoming Minister, upon confirmation, and the Ministry of Justice to advance women’s access to justice and accountability for violence against women and girls.
WONGOSOL said such collaboration would also focus on promoting gender-responsive transitional justice and ensuring that women’s voices and experiences remain central to Liberia’s peace, justice and security processes.
Beyond the Justice Ministry, the women’s rights organization acknowledged President Boakai’s appointment of women to several major government portfolios, including Foreign Affairs, National Defense, Health, Education, Commerce and Industry, Gender, Children and Social Protection, and Youth and Sports.
“These are not merely symbolic positions. They are institutions that shape Liberia’s diplomacy, national security, economy, human development, justice system and future,” the organization emphasized.
For decades, Liberia’s women’s movement has advocated for greater and more meaningful representation of women in spaces where national decisions are made.
WONGOSOL said the increasing presence of women in senior leadership positions demonstrates that women are not merely beneficiaries of development and peace initiatives, but are also leaders, decision-makers and architects of Liberia’s future.
The organization, however, urged President Boakai to build on the progress by expanding women’s representation across all levels of government.
It called for greater inclusion of women in deputy and assistant ministerial positions, diplomatic missions, public corporations, county and local government structures, boards and commissions, as well as the justice and security sectors.
WONGOSOL also urged deliberate efforts to include young women, women with disabilities, rural women and women from historically underrepresented communities.
“Political will for women’s leadership is demonstrated not only through promises, but through deliberate decisions that give qualified women the opportunity, authority and institutional support to lead,” the organization said.
WONGOSOL Executive Director Esther S. Davis Yango, who signed the statement, said the organization remains committed to constructive engagement with the Government of Liberia in advancing women’s leadership, gender equality, inclusive governance, access to justice and the Women, Peace and Security Agenda.
The organization maintained that meaningful representation of women in justice, peace and security institutions is essential to strengthening Liberia’s democracy and sustaining peace.
“When women are meaningfully represented in justice, peace and security institutions, Liberia’s democracy and peace are strengthened,” WONGOSOL concluded.
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