On Friday, 25 April, the National Elections Commission (NEC), in partnership with UN Women and UNDP, officially launched a comprehensive Gender Audit of political parties. This initiative marks a decisive step toward identifying and dismantling structural barriers to women’s leadership within the country’s political landscape.

The audit will evaluate the internal systems, organizational cultures, leadership structures, and resource allocation strategies of the 12 political parties currently represented in the Legislature. By generating evidence-based data, the process aims to help parties implement practical, results-oriented measures that promote inclusive political participation.

Speaking at the introductory meeting, Josephine Kou Gaye, NEC Commissioner with Oversight on Gender, emphasized that the audit’s success depends on the meaningful participation of both women and men. She urged political parties to utilize the findings as an operational tool to strengthen recruitment and advancement pathways for women.

Boakai A. Dukuly, NEC Commissioner with Oversight on Political Affairs, further underscored the correlation between party nominations and electoral success, noting that “when more women are nominated, more women are elected”. He called for increased solidarity among men and women to support female candidates.

Despite sustained commitments, women remain significantly underrepresented in Liberia's Legislature. The gender audit is designed to address this by:

• Diagnosing Gaps: Identifying institutional and socio-political constraints affecting women’s participation.

• Developing Action Plans: Supporting parties in creating Gender Action Plans to guide internal reforms and track progress over time.

• Establishing Baselines: Producing critical data to review party statutes and policies.

As reaffirmed by Cllr. Aagon Tingba, UNDP LESP Political Campaign Finance Specialist, equal participation is not only a rights-based imperative but is essential for the legitimacy and effectiveness of democratic institutions.

The LESP supports national institutions and processes to promote inclusive, transparent, and accountable governance. It is managed by UNDP and implemented in partnership with UN Women, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, and the NEC, with support from the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden.

-End-