By Moses M. Tokpah/MARGIBI
The Margibi Women Alliance for Peace and Development (MARWAPD) has induction new officials in Kakata over the weekend.
The event held at the Kakata Central Philadelphia Church, drew a significant gathering of local leaders, including members of the Margibi Legislative Caucus, county officials, and representatives from the National Civil Society Council of Liberia, alongside women from various communities across the county.
The newly inducted officials include Alice T. Baysah as president, Florence B.S. Nepay as vice president for administration, Dorothy Q. Barcolleh as vice president for operations, and Sara K. Dahn as general secretary, among other key positions.
This leadership team is poised to spearhead initiatives aimed at empowering women and promoting peace and development throughout Margibi County.
The induction ceremony, which was part of a weekend-long event, commenced with a convention focused on fostering solidarity among women.
The theme of the ceremony, “Empowering, Key to Sustainable Peace and Development,” underscored the organization’s commitment to enhancing the role of women in community building.
The event concluded with the official opening of MARWAPD’s new office located in the Bassa Community in Kakata.
In her remarks during the ceremony, Alice T. Baysah, president of the group highlighted the critical need for women to come together and recognize their rights and contributions.
“Many women do not know their rights,” she stated. “Sometimes, even when you build a house together with your husband, he may claim it is only his because he is the man.”
Baysah imdicated that understanding their rights is essential for women and pledged the organization’s commitment to providing skills training and adult literacy programs to empower women to communicate effectively and advocate for themselves.
Baysah further clarified that MARWAPD is inclusive and not anti-men, noting that many men actively participate in the organization.
She explained that the focus focus of the group is on unity and community impact, transcending political affiliations.
“While we participated in the 2023 legislative and presidential elections, our goal is not about politics. We believe that uniting ourselves and focusing on community impact is paramount,” she asserted.
Funding for MARWAPD is primarily derived from its officials and generous contributions from supporters such as Dr. Demenia Gbarbea, a US-based Liberian.
Baysah encouraged women across Margibi County to unite, irrespective of their educational backgrounds, to create a positive impact within their communities.
In her address, Vice President for Administration Florence B.S. Nepay elaborated on MARWAPD’s mission to foster peace, empowerment, and community development while advocating for women’s rights and gender equality.
She stressed the organization’s commitment to raising awareness about gender-based violence and discrimination and advocating for protective policies for women.
Nepay also highlighted the importance of providing educational opportunities, vocational training, and access to economic resources, which are essential for enabling women to become self-reliant and active participants in decision-making processes within their communities.
She reaffirmed MARWAPD’s dedication to challenging traditional gender norms and promoting women’s inclusion in all societal spheres.
The ceremony concluded with an intercessory prayer, marking a hopeful beginning for the newly inducted leadership and the initiatives they intend to implement.
Through a holistic approach to women empowerment and peacebuilding, MARWAPD aims to cultivate a more just and peaceful society, where women are at the forefront of positive change in their communities.
