Bomi County-At a small town hall in Sasstown, Bomi County, women of the town trooped in when the Daughters of Bomi Inc. (DOBI) conducted its first civic education workshop for women over the weekend.
Founded in 2012, DOBI is a local NGO based in Tubmanburg, Bomi County and headed by the mayor of Tubmanburg and former Development Superintendent of the county, Rev. Rebecca Benson.
At the opening of the workshop, Rev. Benson urged the women to take charge of their lives and their destiny. “Don’t stop at chairlady only. Join the election to clear corruption, she said.
The workshop and subsequent ones are being funded by a grant of the United States Embassy in Monrovia.
Rev. Benson said the workshop will be held in the various political districts across the county. “First is Sasstown, next is Clay and others will follow.
She told the gathering her desire to form the organization was during a visit to the United States in 2012 when was inspired by the story of a woman she saw doing incredible things, ranging from building her own house etc.
During the outbreak of the deadly Ebola Virus, she said the organization was helpful in the county as it had a team of contact tracers, counselors etc.
For her part Deborah Fonton, Professional Associate, Department of Public Affairs at the US Embassy said, the pending election next year is important, admonishing their presence at the workshop. “By being here demonstrates that you are a leader,” she said amid a round of applause from the audience.
Taking a trip down memory lane, she said she has been an active participant in election and government since she was seven when her mother took her too to the market to hand out flyers.
As the nation treads on the path of recovery, she called on women to play key roles in the pending elections and beyond. “50% of the population is women. Without women there would be no men. It’s vital you participate—I have been in elections for 50 years since 7. Your job is not only to vote yourself but to take the info to your leaders.”
Also speaking on behalf of the participants, an elated Mamie zayzay thanked the organizers and funders for the workshop, saying it would go a long way in helping them to make a wise and right choice. “It is no longer the people thing, it’s our thing. Thanks for coming.”
Gboko Stewart, [email protected]