Liberia Electoral Support Project Concludes Gender Sensitization Training for Security Sector in Nimba

To promote a safer and more inclusive political environment, the National Elections Commission (NEC), in collaboration with the Organization for Women and Children (OROWCH), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Women, concluded a two-day training on gender sensitization and awareness aimed at preventing and responding to violence against women in elections and politics (VAWE/P).

The training, held on April 14 and 15 in Ganta, brought together over 60 participants, including members of the Liberia National Police, local security institutions, representatives from the Project Accountable Safe Space Women’s Accountability Room (PASSWAR) across various magisterial areas, by-election monitors, and civil society actors.

Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 5, which focuses on gender equality and women's empowerment, and Goal 16, which emphasizes Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, the training addresses the systemic issues of electoral violence. It supports the NEC in fulfilling its constitutional mandate to plan, manage and conduct elections pursuant to national laws, international standards, and best practices, in partnership with other electoral stakeholders, such as the Liberia National Police and civil society, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity.

Randolph Dennis, Deputy Commissioner of the Liberia National Police, remarked, "This training is a step forward in our journey to ensure that gender equality is not just a policy but a practice in every aspect of policing. I encourage all participants to embrace the lessons learned and apply them daily, especially in serving our communities with respect and inclusivity."

Assistant Commissioner of Police Teta Wilson, Chief of Gender Affairs Section of the Liberia National Police and Public Relations Officer, Liberia Female Law Enforcement Association (LIFLE) encouraged members to recognize and build upon their internal strengths.

The training also served as a networking platform for the Liberia Female Law Enforcement Association (LIFLEA), fostering collective advocacy for increased representation and advancement within the ranks of the Liberia National Police.  

Leisel Telary, Director of the Gender Unit at the NEC, highlighted the Protocol between the National Elections Commission and registered political parties to address Violence against Women in Elections and Politics (VAWE/P). She explained that the Protocol—an electoral code of conduct designed to guide political parties’ actions during the electoral process—underscores the need for an effective referral pathway for survivors of VAWE/P and a stronger role for security institutions in preventing politically motivated violence against women.

Topics covered included the types and root causes of VAWE/P, relevant national and international legal frameworks, and the roles of key actors in responding to electoral violence. The sessions were designed to build local accountability, promote inclusive practices, and enhance early response mechanisms.

The UNDP Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP) is co-funded by the European Union, Irish Aid the Embassy of Sweden and UNDP, and implemented in partnership with the NEC, UN Women and the Netherlands Institute for Multi-Party Democracy. It aims to strengthen national institutions and processes in promoting a more inclusive, participatory, and accountable democracy in Liberia.