Young and seasoned female peace-builders in Liberia share experiences amid calls for peaceful elections

Young and seasoned female peace-builders in Liberia gathered at the Monrovia City Hall on Friday, 25 August 2023, for an inter-generational dialogue to mark 20 years of peace in Liberia.

The dialogue was held in observance of the 20th Anniversary of the Accra Peace Agreement, signed on 18 August 2003, to end the second civil war in Liberia and to usher in a new era of peace.

Seasoned panelists Vaiba Flomo, Cecilia Danuweli, Dr. Evelyn Kandakai and Baindu Saturday shared invaluable insights, reflections and experiences on building and sustaining peace in Liberia. Alongside them, young peace-builders, Hawa Dunor Varney, Nusone Perkins and Massa Dugulu, had the unique opportunity to engage and connect with the trailblazing women who were instrumental in securing peace two decades ago, fostering a meaningful exchange of experiences and insights.

Unity of purpose, resilience, communication, commitment and prayer are some of the key strategies that helped the women of Liberia to bring about peace. Other essential aspects spotlighted during the dialogue included the importance of youth engagement, documenting contributions and bolstering resilience.

One of the resounding messages that emerged from the discussions was to safeguard the hard-earned peace during the upcoming elections. Atty. Facia Harris and Vickjune Wutoh skillfully moderated the insightful deliberations.

Christine Umutoni, UN Liberia Resident Coordinator, saluted the strong, indomitable, resilient and ever-present women of Liberia who are the guardians of the hard-won peace.

As Liberia is heading for elections, Ms. Umutoni underscored the importance of holding peaceful elections. She appealed to all political party leaders and followers to commit to peaceful elections and uphold the principles of the Farmington declaration, including the commitment to fight violence against women.

Comfort Lamptey, UN Women Liberia Country Representative, applauded the women of Liberia for being trendsetters.

“Twenty years ago, Liberian women made history and won the admiration of women worldwide. They demonstrated that women, working together, in unity and determination, can accelerate a country’s march to peace,” said Ms. Lamptey.

Among other contributions, Liberian women paved the path to peace; ushered in Africa's first female president, Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and continue to inspire the world through the Nobel Prize-winning achievements of Madam Sirleaf and Leymah Gbowee. The inter-generational dialogue therefore served as an earnest tribute to the pivotal contribution of Liberian women.

Former President of Liberia, Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, as well as government ministers, officials, members of the diplomatic community, representatives from the United Nations, civil society organizations, women peace-builders in Liberia, and the media, among others graced the occasion.

The Women’s Mass Action for Peace, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Centre (EJS), the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, UN Women, the Embassies of Ireland and Sweden joined hands to support this critical dialogue.