MONROVIA – The Coalition of Political Parties Women in Assembly (COPPWIL) has adopted a new constitution aimed at strengthening the participation and representation of women in political parties, particularly those aspiring to seek public office in Liberia.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh | websterclayeh@frontpageafricaonline.com
The adoption ceremony, held at the Cape Hotel in Monrovia, brought together women representing various political parties, development partners, and stakeholders committed to promoting women’s political leadership. It was hosted by Sister Aid Liberia (SALI).
Speaking on behalf of the COPPWIL Board of Advisors, Board Chair Representative for Margibi County Electoral District #3 Ellen Attoh-Wreh described the adoption of the constitution and strategic plan as a historic milestone for women in Liberia’s political landscape.
Representative Wreh expressed appreciation to both national and international partners and COPPWIL members for their unwavering commitment throughout the process.
According to her, the newly adopted constitution and strategic plan will serve as a guiding framework for the organization’s growth while empowering women across political parties who aspire to contest public offices.
“COPPWIL as we all know has a rich history, serving as a political organization seeking to encourage women to join political parties, participate in the political process, not only as voters, but as candidates also,” Representative Wreh said.
She urged women across Liberia to unite in advancing political empowerment regardless of party affiliation.
She added: “Let this day be a landmark that women of Liberia, and not only political parties, come together and support programs and activities that will empower us politically as we seek or intend to seek political offices.”
Representative Wreh also emphasized the need for unity among women leaders.
“Let not COPPWIL be about you or me, but about how we women can work together, putting aside our differences, and work to ensure that more women are elected to public offices,” she added.
She further appealed to international partners to continue providing both technical and financial support to strengthen women’s participation in national leadership.
Also speaking at the event, the Acting Executive Director of Sister Aid Liberia, Amelia Siah Siaffa, described the adoption of the constitution as a significant milestone in the institutional development of the Coalition of Political Party Women in Liberia.
Sister Aid Liberia is a women-led organization dedicated to promoting gender equality, women’s leadership, peacebuilding, and inclusive governance across Liberia through strategic partnerships, advocacy, research, and institutional capacity building.
Madam Siaffa noted that the constitutional adoption was held under the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), a multi-partner initiative designed to strengthen Liberia’s democratic and electoral processes by promoting inclusive participation, accountability, and good governance.
“Today’s session is being convened under the Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), a multi-partner initiative aimed at strengthening Liberia’s democratic and electoral processes by promoting inclusive participation, accountability, and good governance,” she said.
She explained that, through the project, implemented by UN Women in partnership with Sister Aid Liberia, support has been provided to strengthen COPPWIL and the women’s wings of political parties through strategic planning, constitutional review, and organizational development.
“Through this project, implemented by UN Women in partnership with Sister Aid Liberia, support has been provided to strengthen the institutional capacity of COPPWIL and the women’s wings of political parties through strategic planning, constitutional review, and organizational development,” she said.
According to Madam Siaffa, the process leading to the adoption involved months of consultations, including strategic planning workshops, constitutional reviews, and technical engagements aimed at refining the coalition’s governance framework.
She said the collaborative efforts demonstrate a shared commitment to strengthening COPPWIL and positioning the coalition to play a more effective role in advancing women’s political participation and leadership in Liberia.
“Today marks the culmination of this process as members gather to formally adopt the revised Constitution—an important step toward consolidating the Coalition’s governance framework and preparing it for its next phase of growth and leadership,” she said.
Madam Siaffa disclosed that the coalition’s next major milestone will be the convening of its General Assembly, during which new leadership will be elected under the provisions of the newly adopted constitution.
She furthers: “Following this adoption, the next significant milestone will be the convening of COPPWIL’s General Assembly, where elections will be conducted in line with the newly adopted Constitution. This process will usher in new leadership that will guide the implementation of COPPWIL’s Strategic Plan and continue advancing the Coalition’s mission of promoting women’s leadership and political participation.”
