Monica Geingos recently celebrated the EJS Centre’s fifth anniversary in Liberia, underscoring women’s political representation and economic empowerment. The event featured notable figures and initiatives aimed at promoting gender equality, including the #GapZero Manifesto and the launch of Musiehjah, the African Women’s House. Johnson Sirleaf and Geingos called for increased female political leadership on the continent, reinforcing the importance of women in politics and the economy.
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 brought together dignitaries, stakeholders, and beneficiaries, emphasizing the need for enhanced women’s political representation. The celebrations commenced on March 7 with the introduction of the GapZero Manifesto on Gender Equality, culminating in the official anniversary on International Women’s Day, March 8.
The anniversary event featured prominent guests, including EJS Centre founder Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Liberian President Joseph Boakai, Ethiopian former President Sahle-Work Zewde, and former Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo. In her address, Geingos outlined the significance of recognizing historical struggles while acknowledging the impatience of the younger generation regarding current socio-political conditions.
Geingos articulated the necessity of political representation for women, stating, “Politics decides who gets what, and when. Political representation of women is key.” She underscored that economic freedom is essential to achieving political freedom, emphasizing that without women’s participation in the economy, female political candidates may struggle to secure campaign funding. She called for the empowerment of women to ensure their representation at all levels.
Ellen Johnson Sirleaf took the opportunity to launch Musiehjah, the African Women’s House, which celebrates the remarkable histories of African women who have fought for change. She expressed a strong desire for the continent to elect five female presidents within the next decade, stressing that with progress in Namibia, only three are needed to fulfill this vision. The occasion concluded with a vow to continue efforts towards bridging the leadership gap and promoting gender equality.
The fifth anniversary of the EJS Centre in Liberia highlighted critical discussions on women’s representation in politics and the economy, as emphasized by former first lady Monica Geingos. By launching initiatives like the #GapZero Manifesto and Musiehjah, the event aimed to close the leadership gap and advance gender equality. The collaboration among leaders underscores a commitment to fostering political, social, and economic empowerment for women in Africa, paving the way for future advancements.
Original Source: www.namibian.com.na
