As Liberia looks ahead to electoral cycles, the National Elections Commission (NEC) is taking a critical step toward ensuring that no one is left behind. On October 14, a three-day Building Resources in Democracy, Governance and Elections (BRIDGE) Workshop on Gender Equality and Disability Rights implemented by NEC and UN Women commenced in Monrovia to explore ways to advance inclusive elections and strengthen the implementation of NEC’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Policy. 

Bringing together NEC staff from headquarters and the magisterial offices, the event was the final of a series of four workshops designed to strengthen inclusive electoral management across Liberia with activities designed to deepen the understanding of gender equality and disability inclusion as well as to help translate NEC’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Policy into action. 

This workshop forms part of the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), implemented by UNDP in partnership with UN Women, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) and NEC, with support from the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden. 

Speaking during the opening, the NEC Commissioner Boakai Dukuly challenged participants to not only identify obstacles faced by women and persons with disabilities but to also develop solutions for removing those barriers within society and NEC itself. 

Participants explored key topics ranging from gender equality principles and electoral violence against women to disability inclusion, accessibility, and institutional strategies. Sessions focused on identifying barriers faced by women, persons with disabilities and other underrepresented groups throughout the electoral cycle, while also examining how inclusion can be strengthened within NEC itself. 

Dr. Yemi Falayajo, the UN Women Deputy Resident Representative noted that inclusion is not an optional addition to democracy but a foundation. “You cannot have votes and voices, yet you do not include everyone’s voice. If we say we want to put our voices behind a certain candidate, everybody’s voice must be represented.”

She praised NEC’s consistent efforts to promote the participation of women, young people and persons with disabilities through civic and voter education, candidate nomination processes and electoral operations, noting that inclusion must move beyond policy commitments to visible action.

The workshop also builds on recent work undertaken by NEC and its partners, including a gender and inclusion analysis of electoral laws and regulations. Recommendations emerging from all four BRIDGE cohorts will help inform the development of a Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Implementation Plan to guide concrete actions.

The UNDP Inclusive Electoral Process and Reform Specialist, Robert Irish challenged the participants to see inclusion not only as something that applies to voters, but also as an institutional responsibility. Robert said inclusion is more than just people but “It is about society. It is about all of you working together to make a more integrated and inclusive institution.”

As Liberia prepares for future electoral cycles, participants repeatedly returned to one message that ‘inclusion must become part of everyday practice.’

NEC Co-Chairperson Counsellor P. Teplah Reeves encouraged participants to use the knowledge gained to support more inclusive civic and voter education efforts ahead of the 2029 elections. She expressed hope that ongoing legal reforms could strengthen women’s political participation through the advancement of strengthened measures.

This final cohort focused on implementation. The conversations, recommendations and commitments generated over the three days contributed to the development of NEC’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Implementation Plan, helping turn policy commitments into practical steps that make Liberia’s electoral system more accessible and inclusive for everyone.

The Liberia Electoral Support Project supports national institutions and processes to promote inclusive and accountable democracy in Liberia. 

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