UN Women, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and the National Elections Commission (NEC), in collaboration with partners, validated a national assessment on Violence Against Women in Elections and Politics (VAWEP) in Liberia.

The validation exercise done on 28 April 2026, brought together representatives from government institutions, political parties, civil society organizations, development partners, and electoral stakeholders to review the study’s findings and discuss practical actions to strengthen women’s political participation and protection.

The assessment, conducted between September and November 2025 across Montserrado, Nimba, Bong, Lofa, Sinoe, and Gbarpolu counties, examined the challenges women face in participating in politics before, during, and after elections.

Presenting the findings, consultants Dr. Theresa de Langis and Ora Barclay noted that violence against women in elections and politics remains systemic and deeply entrenched, significantly limiting women’s full and equal participation in Liberia’s democratic processes.

The study further highlights the continued underrepresentation of women in political leadership. While women made up more than half of registered voters during the 2023 elections, they accounted for only 15.5 percent of candidates. Currently, women hold just 11 percent of seats in the National Legislature, with eight women in the House of Representatives and three in the Senate.

Stakeholders Call for Concrete Action

Speaking during the validation, NEC Commissioner for Gender Josephine Kou Gaye expressed concern over the persistent decline in women’s political participation.

“The future of women in politics is under constant threat. We must identify practical solutions that will safeguard and expand women’s participation,” she said.

Dr. Anna Brzozowska, EU Team Lead for Governance, emphasized the need to bridge the gap between advocacy efforts and actual representation.

“Women are central to peacebuilding and civic life yet remain underrepresented in political leadership. We must confront the factors driving this decline,” she noted.

Katherine Green, UNDP Chief Technical Advisor for the Liberia Electoral Support Project, underscored the importance of evidence-based action.

“This study provides critical evidence to strengthen understanding of the barriers women face and to inform more targeted interventions,” she said.

Tsega Gebremeskel, Team Lead for Governance, Peace and Security and Officer-in-Charge at UN Women Liberia, commended the contributions of the Reference Group and partners for their technical support throughout the assessment process.

Recommendations for Reform and Action

The assessment outlines several key recommendations to address violence against women in elections and politics, including:

• Strengthening legal and policy frameworks to effectively respond to VAWEP

• Reforming political party structures to reduce barriers for women candidates

• Improving data collection and monitoring systems

• Expanding community-level initiatives to address harmful social norms and discrimination

Advancing Inclusive and Safe Political Participation

The validation process marks an important step toward translating research into action. Stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to advancing inclusive, safe, and equitable political participation for women across Liberia.

The Liberia Electoral Support Project supports national institutions and electoral processes to promote inclusive, transparent and accountable governance. The project is managed by UNDP and implemented in partnership with UN Women, the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD), and the National Elections Commission, with support from the European Union, Ireland and Sweden.