Monica Geingos celebrated the fifth anniversary of the EJS Centre in Liberia, emphasizing the need for women’s political representation and the importance of addressing historical inequalities. Notable dignitaries attended the event, where she highlighted the urgent need for women’s economic and political engagement. Former president Ellen Johnson Sirleaf launched the African Women’s House, advocating for increased female political leadership in Africa.
Monica Geingos, the former First Lady of Namibia and chairperson of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Centre for Women and Development (EJS Centre), recently celebrated the centre’s fifth anniversary in Monrovia, Liberia. The event, attended by prominent dignitaries such as Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Liberian President Joseph Boakai, commenced on March 7 with a focus on gender equality in public leadership during the GapZero Manifesto and culminated on International Women’s Day, March 8.
In her address, Geingos underscored the importance of women’s political representation, stating that historical factors are intricately tied to contemporary struggles for equality. She remarked, “As we grapple with what this means and how to address the structural inequalities…we must admit one thing: Most of our population, especially the youth, have become impatient.”
Geingos further elaborated on the necessity for women’s full participation in politics, asserting, “Politics decides who gets what, and when. Political representation of women is key.” She highlighted that political freedom is meaningless without economic freedom, emphasizing that inclusion is vital for women to secure campaign funding and build wealth.
At the anniversary event, Sirleaf launched “Musiehjah,” the African Women’s House, which honors the sacrifices of women across Africa striving for change. She called for the election of five female presidents in Africa within the next decade, aiming to reduce the need to just three based on Namibia’s progress. The visit concluded with reaffirmations to work towards bridging the leadership gap and promoting gender equality in governance.
The celebration of the EJS Centre’s fifth anniversary served as a vital reminder of the ongoing struggle for gender equality and women’s representation in politics. Monica Geingos emphasized the necessity for active participation from women in both the political and economic spheres, urging collective action towards closing the leadership gap. The event underscored the interconnected nature of historical challenges faced and the impatience of the younger generation for meaningful change in their societies.
Original Source: www.namibian.com.na
