Liberia Gender Symposium

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Purpose
On February 12, 2007, the Initiative for Inclusive Security, in partnership with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM) and the World Bank, hosted 19 Liberian women government and civil society leaders for a one-day symposium on gender in Washington, DC.  The Symposium provided an important opportunity to ensure that Liberian women will act as full partners in their country's reconstruction.

Consultations
Liberian women government and civil society leaders crafted recommendations on ways women can help consolidate peace and lead reconstruction.  Their agenda was delivered to the Liberia Partners' Forum on February 13 and 14 at the World Bank.

Click here to read the statement to the Liberian Partners' Forum delivered on behalf of Gender Symposium delegates. 

Delegates
Following is the list of women government and civil society leaders who attended the Liberia Gender Symposium:

Comfort Bedell-Marshall, President, Liberia Marketing Association
Parleh Dargbeh Harris, Planning Officer/ Women Focal Point-Gender Issues, Ministry of Gender and Development
Julia Duncan Cassell, Superintendent, Grand Bassa County, Ministry of Internal Affairs
Alomiza M. Ennos, Chairperson, Women’s Legislative Caucus
Pearl Fahnbulleh, Executive Director, National Women’s Commission of Liberia
Cerue Garlo, Coordinator, Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia
Vabah K. Gayflor, Minister of Gender and Development, Republic of Liberia
Leymah Roberta Gbowee, Executive Director, Women, Peace, and Security Network in Africa
Lindora Howard-Diawara, Coordinator, Women in Peace building Network
Juanita Jarrett, Founding Member, Mano River Women’s Peace Network
Musu Kardamie, Chairlady, Concern Women Association, Ganta Nimba County
Annette M. Kiawu, Gender Program Officer, Ministry of Gender
Una Kumba Thompson, Chief Executive Officer, Women of Liberia Peace Network
Gertrude Lamin, Superintendent, Gbarpolu County
Precious Mitchell, Gender Officer, Society for Women and AIDS in Africa
Tovian Estella Nelson, National Coordinator, Liberian Women Media Action Committee
Mama Siah Tumu, Traditional Women for Peace
Abibatu Turay Kromah, Program Officer / Treasurer, United Muslim Women Adv. EMP. Org.
Patricia Wayon, President, Liberian Women’s Empowerment Network

Recommendations
Below are recommendations that participants developed as a result of the consultation:
Priorities for Reconstruction: Input to the Liberian Interim Poverty Reduction Strategy (IPRS)
February 2007

Directory of Women Peace Experts
Learn more about Liberian women government and civil society leaders listed in our Directory of Women Peace Experts.

Read a spotlight of Liberia's President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf.

Country Description
Liberia, meaning “Land of the Free,” was founded by a small group of American slaves in 1847.  Since 1980, the country has suffered at the hands of corrupt leaders and brutal regimes.  Since the signing of a peace agreement in 2003, Liberians have been working to heal the wounds of 14 years of civil war, which displaced nearly half of the country's three million people, left up to 250,000 dead, and destroyed their country's economy and infrastructure.  Elected in 2005 as the country's and continent's first female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has pledged to transform adversity into opportunity, and to renew the promises upon which Liberia was founded: freedom, equality, unity, and individual progress. 

Click here to learn about Inclusive Security's December 2006 Liberia Consultation.

Resources & Conflict Background
International Crisis Group
United States Institute of Peace

Press Releases & Media Coverage
Liberian Women Articulate Priorities for the Reconstruction of the Country
United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM)
February 12, 2007

Inclusive Security Brings Liberian Women Leaders to World Bank
February 9, 2007