NIMBA COUNTY – Several women from across Nimba County’s 19 administrative districts have rallied behind Edith Gongloe-Weh, formally endorsing her candidacy for the upcoming Senate election.
By Franklin Doloquee, [email protected]
The women, who gathered in large numbers to support Gongloe-Weh, expressed their frustration at the lack of female representation in the Liberian Senate. They argue that the absence of women in leadership roles has left their concerns largely unheard and unaddressed.
The endorsement comes as a response to what the women describe as a leadership imbalance, with men dominating the political scene in Nimba County. Their support for Gongloe-Weh is rooted in her leadership experience, educational qualifications, and past achievements as a former county superintendent.
“We have seen that women are underrepresented in the Senate, and it’s time to change that,” said Madam Kuku Yansine, a former District 7 representative candidate, speaking after the endorsement. “We need to balance the equation with competent female leadership, and we believe Edith Gongloe-Weh is the right person to represent us.”
Madam Yah Tokpah, head of the Sanniquellie Women’s Group, echoed these sentiments, pointing to the lack of effective leadership and the ongoing conflicts fueled by male-dominated politics.
The women cited the removal of Speaker Fonati Koffa as an example of how men’s leadership has led to division and confusion within the county.
The women also pointed to Grand Bassa County, where a female senator currently serves as Senate Pro Tempore, bringing pride and effective leadership to the Senate. They believe that a similar opportunity for Edith Gongloe-Weh will empower women’s leadership in Liberia.
“We, the women from Nimba County, are standing together to demand our right to be heard and represented. We have been overlooked for far too long, and this time, we will not let this chance pass,” said Yansine and Tokpah.
The women announced plans to raise funds to support Gongloe-Weh’s campaign. They emphasized that their backing symbolizes not just support, but a collective desire for meaningful change in the county’s leadership.
The decision to fund Gongloe-Weh’s campaign marks the first time in Nimba County that women have organized such an initiative for a female senatorial candidate. This is the fourth time Gongloe-Weh will be running for the Senate, with the election scheduled for April 22.
In response to the women’s endorsement, Gongloe-Weh expressed her gratitude and commitment to representing Nimba County with pride. She pledged that, if elected, she would work tirelessly to bring positive change and ensure that the voices of women in the county are heard.
“I am deeply honored to have the support of the women of Nimba County. Together, we will continue to fight for a future where women have an equal seat at the table in Liberia’s political landscape,” Gongloe-Weh stated.