As Liberia looks ahead to the 2029 elections, women leaders are beginning their journey long before campaign season. Through practical leadership and candidate preparedness training, women aspirants are building the knowledge, confidence, and networks needed to compete more effectively, lead with purpose, and contribute to a more inclusive democracy.

To support this vision, 41 women aspirants from Montserrado, Margibi, and Grand Bassa Counties gathered in Monrovia on August 19, 2026 for the first round of a three-day Political Leadership and Candidate Preparedness Training. The training forms part of a nationwide initiative that is planned to reach approximately 240 women aspirants across all 15 counties, helping to strengthen the pipeline of women leaders ahead of the 2029 elections. This initiative is implemented under the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP) by UNDP in collaboration with UN Women and Sister Aid Liberia. The LESP is managed by UNDP and implemented in partnership with UN Women and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy, with support from the European Union, Ireland and Sweden.

For Liberia, where women currently occupy only 11 of the 103 seats in the National Legislature, the training represents more than a capacity-building exercise, but an investment in developing a pool of women leaders who are equipped to shape policies, represent their communities, and strengthen inclusive democratic governance.

Opening the training, UN Women Deputy Country Representative, Dr. Yemi Falayajo reminded participants that women’s participation in politics is a matter of equal rights and a prerequisite for effective governance. “The country will not move forward as it should without the effective participation of women in decision-making. Men and women bring different perspectives, and all those perspectives are needed in governance and leadership”.

Dr. Falayajo also emphasized that successful political leadership begins well before elections. “Leadership begins long before elections. It begins with preparation, learning, relationship building, and a commitment to serving others”.

She encouraged the participants to take full advantage of the opportunity to learn from experienced facilitators, build relationships with fellow aspirants, and strengthen the networks that will continue supporting their political journeys beyond the training.

Seeing Opportunities Beyond Barriers

The UNDP Electoral Advisor Mr. Robert Irish said preparing women for political leadership also means helping them to recognize the strengths they already possess. Drawing on findings from the 2023 General Elections, he noted that women already represent a powerful electoral force. “More women voted than men during the last election,” he said, pointing to women voters as an important constituency capable of influencing electoral outcomes.

He urged aspiring candidates to draw on their lived experiences, professional expertise, and community engagement and leadership experience which can strengthen their understanding of community priorities and connection with voters.

The training responds directly to lessons that emerged from Liberia’s recent electoral processes. Research and aspirant survey conducted through the LESP found that many women interested in contesting elections lacked practical guidance, mentorship, campaign planning skills, and access to political networks. Financing, intimidation, limited visibility, and restricted access to information also remain significant barriers to women’s political participation.

Using UN Women’s Political Leadership and Candidate Training (PLCT) methodology, the three-day programme combines theory with practical learning. Through the training, aspiring women political contestants are expected to develop skills in transformative leadership, constituency analysis, political party engagement, public speaking, political messaging, voter outreach, fundraising, campaign planning, budgeting, team building, and prevention of Violence Against Women in Elections and Politics.

For many participants including Daintowon Domah Pay-Bayee, the training represents an opportunity to transform political ambition into practical action. Pay-Bayee who aims to contest in Montserrado County District #13, is looking forward to strengthening her understanding of campaign financing and resource mobilization. “I want to learn how to identify both human and financial resources because our political process requires significant investment.”

Another participant, Alice T. Baysah, said developing compelling messages for voters and learning strategies to prevent violence against women in politics are among her priorities. “I want to develop messages that connect with voters, learn how to win, and understand how to prevent violence against women.”

Participants shared common determination to prepare early, lead effectively, and contribute meaningfully to Liberia’s democratic future.

The PLCT builds on a broader series of interventions under the LESP, including nationwide mapping of women aspirants, a national networking forum, and consultations that identified leadership development, communication, fundraising, and mentorship as priority needs for women preparing for future elections.

By delivering this training across Liberia, the programme seeks to strengthen women’s leadership capacity while building lasting peer networks and mentorship opportunities that can support women well beyond the 2029 elections.

For the women gathered in Monrovia, the journey toward political leadership has already begun. Gaining practical skills, stronger networks, and renewed confidence, they are preparing today to become the leaders who will help shape Liberia’s tomorrow.

The Liberia Electoral Support Project (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 and the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) with funding from the European Union, Ireland and Sweden.

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