Geingos celebrates EJS Centre’s 5th anniversary in Liberia

Former first lady Monica Geingos has highlighted the need for women’s political representation.

Geingos, who is also the chairperson of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Centre for Women and Development (EJS Centre), recently concluded a visit to Monrovia, Liberia, where she joined high-level dignitaries, stakeholders, and beneficiaries to celebrate the centre’s fifth anniversary.

A statement released by her office on Sunday afternoon indicated that the two-day event began on 7 March with the #GapZero Manifesto on Gender Equality in Public Leadership, followed by the official anniversary on International Women’s Day on 8 March.

The official event was attended by EJS Centre founder Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberian president Joseph Boakai, former president of Ethiopia Sahle-Work Zewde, and Olusegun Obasanjo, the former president of Nigeria.

In her speech, Geingos emphasised the interconnectedness of history and the fight for equality.

“Our past is intertwined, and the fight for liberty relies on institutions. Institutions are run by people, and the innate minds of people run institutions.

“As we grapple with what this means and how to address the structural inequalities that are inextricably linked to our past, we must admit one thing: Most of our population, especially the youth, have become impatient.

“They are not interested in the past; they are upset about the present. The same applies to gender equality. Young women are fed up with older women who they feel conform too easily,” she said.

Geingos stressed the inclusion of all women and reiterated the importance of political representation.

“Politics decides who gets what, and when. Political representation of women is key. At the same time we recognise that political freedom is meaningless without economic freedom. Socio-economic realities undermine political freedom. If women aren’t involved in the economy and are not able to build wealth, who will fund the campaigns of female politicians?

“While there are certainly male allies, we need the political, social, and economic capital of women to grow. Representation of women at all levels matters,” the former first lady said.

Johnson Sirleaf at the event launched Musiehjah, the African Women’s House, a tribute to the extraordinary stories of women across Africa who have fought for societal change and equal rights – often at great personal cost.

“We need five elected women presidents on the continent in the next 10 years. With Namibia’s progress, we are about to only need three.”

The visit concluded with a renewed commitment to closing the leadership gap and advancing gender equality,” she said.