PASS Women's Accountability Room

26/05/2025

Please see below the link to the PASS Women's Accountability Room Final Report 👇👇👇👇 Embassy of Ireland in Liberia Organization for Women and Children Community Healthcare Initiative SRHR Clinic Kids' Educational Engagement Project USAID/Liberia UK in Liberia - British Embassy, Monrovia https://drive.google.com/file/d/1vYSGx0h73Sw4jjDTL9B9eZHaJlUEqg7f/view?usp=sharing

19/05/2025

Pass Women's Accountability Room Advances Key Recommendations Following Election Observations

Monrovia, Liberia—In the wake of the Nimba County Senatorial By-elections, the Pass Women's Accountability Room has put forth several critical recommendations aimed at strengthening election integrity, combating misinformation, and enhancing women's political participation and security.

Observers noted that the National Elections Commission (NEC) demonstrated significant progress in maintaining electoral order. However, concerns remain regarding violations and gaps in accountability, prompting calls for stronger enforcement measures.

One of the major recommendations is the establishment of a social media monitoring unit within the NEC. This unit would track election-related misinformation and violations, ensuring swift corrective actions and accurate dissemination of information.

Additionally, stakeholders emphasized the need for greater accountability in campaign finance through strict auditing measures.

The NEC has been urged to enforce financial disclosures and punitive actions against violators to prevent unfair political advantages.

Despite progress, structural barriers continue to hinder gender equality in Liberia’s political landscape. To address this, the report suggests stronger legal protections for women in political processes, including proactive measures against public violence targeting female candidates.

Furthermore, it calls for enhanced security protocols for women candidates, such as law enforcement engagement in tackling online harassment and physical intimidation. Improving polling station conditions—through better sanitation, lighting, and accessibility—was also identified as a crucial step in creating a safe voting environment for women.

Additionally, the report recommends robust monitoring mechanisms to counter misinformation, ensuring social media users are held accountable within the framework of existing legal regulations. Clear penalties for online harassment aimed at female candidates were also proposed.

Moreover, the report highlighted the importance of peace messaging campaigns to prevent the obstruction of candidate movement and uphold fair electoral participation; adequate funding for women-led organizations; and, delivering civic and voter education.
Additionally, security personnel from targeted counties should receive specialized training to enhance their crisis response capabilities.

The report also urges the Education Ministry to ensure children are exempt from political activities and collaborate with the NEC in formulating policies on the use of school facilities during elections.

The recommendations, if implemented, could mark a significant step toward reinforcing electoral integrity and ensuring a more inclusive democratic process for all Liberians.
The PASS Women's Accountability Room The By Elections was implemented with support from the Embassy of Ireland in Liberia

24/04/2025

Happy to have our partner Embassy of Ireland in Liberia recognize the important role of women in election monitoring and visit our room.

23/04/2025

Several partners visited the Women's Accountability Room yesterday to listen to our perspective of the bi elections. We received the Ambassador of the European Union in Liberia Madam, Ms. Emer Hughes from the Embassy of Ireland, delegation from the Office of Human Rights, Director of the Gender Section, Ms. Leisel Talery, as well as UNDP Liberia and Women in Liberia.

23/04/2025

Women's participation in monitoring elections is crucial to ensure their voices are heard and their safety is protected. Supported by the Embassy of Ireland in Liberia, PASS Women's Accountability Room played a crucial role in highlighting women participation in the Nimba elections. Read Women's Voices report below 👇 👇 👇
Please read

-But… Ganta, Nimba County: A women-led election observation group has declared Liberia’s Nimba County senatorial…

23/04/2025

The PASS Women's Accountability Room is a consortium of grassroots women’s organizations in Liberia, including the Women Leaders Network, Community Healthcare Initiative SRHR Clinic , Kids' Educational Engagement Project Organization for Women and Children Paramount Young Women Initiative, Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia,

aim is to monitor and address violence against women during elections, providing legal aid and advocating for non-violence and peace. PASSWAR observation in the recent bi elections is supported by the Embassy of Ireland in Liberia

22/04/2025

PASS WAR members are observing the elections in Nimba. https://www.facebook.com/share/v/18fA5DgZvW/?mibextid=wwXIfr

09/03/2025

The PASS Women's Accountability Room have become aware of a video of Representative Samuel Kogar campaign in which he calls on Nimba citizens not to vote for women because according to him, a woman cannot replace the man who died. We strongly condemn the discriminatory rhetoric by Representative Kogar which highlights systemic challenges to gender equality in Liberia's political landscape.
Rep. Kogars' statement, which discourages voting for women based on cultural biases, perpetuates harmful stereotypes and undermines currrent efforts toward women's political participation.
Such remarks not only marginalize women but also reinforce patriarchal norms that hinder inclusive governance.

Historically, women in Liberia have faced significant barriers in politics, ranging from verbal abuse to physical violence, as seen in past elections. These actions are not isolated incidents but part of a broader pattern aimed at silencing women's voices and discouraging their participation in leadership roles.

The cultural argument used by Rep. Kogars reflects a deep-seated resistance to change, despite continuously failed efforts to promote gender equality through legislative reforms.
The violence and discriminatory nature of Rep. Kogars' speech in the video demand immediate action.
We call on the National Elections Commission (NEC) to take concrete actions to discourage such harmful rhectoric and protect women in politics which includes public condemnation of discriminatory statements, ensuring the safety of female candidates, and pushing for the enforcement of laws that promote gender parity in elections.

This situation also underscores the need for continuous education and awareness campaigns to challenge cultural norms that devalue women's leadership.

Empowering women and fostering an environment where they can participate freely and fairly in politics is not just a matter of justice but a prerequisite for sustainable development and democracy.

We further call on Representative Kogar to retract his statement as such pronouncements are disrespectful to his colleagues who are women.
Organization for Women and Children Ministry of Gender, Children & Social Protection - Liberia Kids' Educational Engagement Project Paramount Young Women Initiative Embassy of Sweden in Monrovia UK in Liberia - British Embassy, Monrovia European Union in Liberia Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia UN Women