Article by: Florence B. Flomo, IWMF Fellow – 0775069542/08886181862
Since Liberia gained independence in 1847, it was until 1946 that women first had the opportunity and right to participate in the country’s decision-making process through voting.
Liberia has a long history of depriving women of some of their fundamental rights, including the right to education and political participation.
Even though they now have the right to vote and contest for political seats with their male counterparts, there are still other forms of violence meted against them.
Political violence against women
One traditional woman who has suffered political violence is Madam Viola Cooper Teamah; former Mayor of the City of Gbarnga in Central Liberia.
Explaining her ordeals to our IWMF Project Fellow, Madam Teamah said she contested the 2005 legislative election in Electoral District #5 in Bong County and won, but she was arm-twisted and prevented from sitting because of her gender. “I contested the 2005 election and I won, but the people took it from me because I am a woman,” Madam Teamah asserted. “I was cheated,” she added.
She did not however give up, but contested the 2011 elections and finished second to incumbent and outgoing Representative, Edward Karfiah. She also tested the water for the third time during the 2023 elections, but finished almost at the baseline.
From the different electoral processes, the former Gbarnga City Mayor observed that societal stereotypes and violence against women in politics are the root causes of low women’s participation in the governance of the state.
“One of the major problems we women face is cash violence.”
She averred that the male candidates, who have financial stability, would dish money out among the electorates and distribute T-shirts to buy their votes. She alleged that other men, who have the financial capacity to stretch alms to women during politics, would always demand sex in exchange for financial help.
Call to the forthcoming government
In order for the ratio of women to men in government to be lowered, the former District #5 Representative Candidate is recommending to the forthcoming Unity Party government to appoint more females in the local government structures of the counties.
Brief history of her professional life
Despite these barriers and challenges, Madam Teamah has braved the storm and has had the opportunity to serve in strategic positions in Bong County. Before becoming Mayor of the city of Gbarnga, Madam Teamah served as a Board Member for the Bong County Technical College Board of Trustees. She also served as Superintendent for the Liberia Marketing Association Bong County Branch.
Her days at the Gbarnga City Corporation saw a lot of changes in Gbarnga, including the declaration of the first Saturday of each month as general cleaning up day in Gbarnga. Businesses would be closed up until 10:00 am to observe the cleaning up exercise to give the city a face-lift.
This story was supported by the International Women’s Media Foundation and NDI’s VAW-PM Program.”
