Ex-president Sirleaf, along with other women of Liberia, during day three of the fundraiser campaign for Gongloe-Weh
MONROVIA — A prominent fundraising campaign for Edith Gongloe-Weh, the only female candidate in Tuesday’s upcoming senatorial by-election in Nimba County, has drawn widespread support from prominent women, including former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. But the noticeable absence of key female legislators has raised questions about solidarity within Liberia’s female political circles.
By Joyclyn Wea, contributing writer
Since April 15, women have gathered at Invincible Park fish market in Monrovia to raise $10,000 for Gongloe-Weh’s campaign, with funds earmarked for poll watchers to protect votes, similar to efforts that helped Senator Botoe Kanneh secure her seat in 2020.
“Anyone who stops women is stopping progress in the world,” said Sirleaf, 86, who briefly visited the fundraiser to contribute. The former president praised Gongloe-Weh’s past service as Nimba County superintendent, saying, “She shows integrity, commitment, and dedication.”
But conspicuously missing from these events have been Senator Botoe Kanneh and Senator Nyonblee Kargar Lawrence, chair of the Women’s Legislative Caucus — the very organization established to support female political participation.
“There are other women in the legislature; where are they? “This raises serious questions about consistency and commitment,” said a political analyst who requested anonymity to speak freely about the sensitive topic. “It’s particularly striking given that Senator Kanneh directly benefited from almost identical fundraising efforts in 2020.”
Conspicuously missing from these events have been Senator Botoe Kanneh (left) and Senator Nyonblee Kargar Lawrence, chair of the Women’s Legislative Caucus — the very organization established to support female political participation.
The absence is especially noteworthy given comments Kanneh made at a stakeholder engagement meeting in December 2022, when she said, “We need to support each other in every aspect of life, but I must admit women can’t support women. During my election, I experienced that.”
Cllr. Charlyn Brumskine, founder of CMB Law Group and head of the African Leadership Network’s Liberia chapter, pushed back against this narrative at the fundraiser.
“We see men attacking women who want to support women,” Brumskine said. “No longer gender divide. We are doing it for you. Not for us.”
The campaign for Gongloe-Weh, who has run for senator three times previously, comes at a critical juncture for women’s representation in Nimba County. Currently, there is not a single woman among the county’s ten lawmakers.
One of Gongloe-Weh’s opponents, Samuel Kogar, has publicly suggested that a woman should not replace the late Senator Prince Johnson, describing it as “disrespect to culture.”
Former female Vice President Jewel Howard-Taylor has formally endorsed Gongloe-Weh, and so does the Alternative National Congress. Meanwhile, the Unity Party has backed Kogar.
The campaign organizers’ fundraising materials emphasize the broader significance of Gongloe-Weh’s candidacy, stating, “This is not just about one candidate, it is about what kind of democracy we want and the values we are willing to stand for.”
The challenges of raising the money required to run and win continue to be a major obstacle to women who are less likely to have the income or access to funds that men have. Just paying the costs to run can be prohibitive.
Filing fees for independent presidential candidates are $US2,500 – more than the cost for those running on party tickets. Independent Senatorial candidates pay $US750, while a House of Representatives candidate pays $US500. That is close to the average annual income of Liberians.
All candidates must also demonstrate a minimum bank balance of $10,000. On the campaign trail, money buys radio airtime, social media advertising, and campaign support. And, finally, cashed-up candidates will often use money to buy votes.
“We know that part of the things she needs to get done requires money, and the best we can do is to raise the money and send it to her, and in the wisdom of her campaign process, those leading the campaign will decide how to use the money. Atty Facia Harris said, “We are supporting her through fundraising in solidarity, and it is part of the work that we do on women’s political participation, leadership, and representation.”
Multiple requests for comment from Senator Kanneh and Senator Lawrence regarding their positions on the fundraising campaign and their absence from these events have gone unanswered as of press time.
The senatorial bi-election in Nimba County is scheduled for Tuesday, April 22, 2025.
