OWC, AWLN Partner to Amplify Women’s Political Participation

By: Emmanuel Koffa | Grand Kru Correspondent

Barclayville City, Grand Kru County |Dec. 16, 2025 |The Organization for Women and Children (OWC) has partnered with the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) in a groundbreaking initiative aimed at amplifying the voices of women and girls in politics amid growing concerns over their low representation in leadership across the country.

According to Denise Blessing Denise, Project Assistant at OWC, the initiative is being jointly implemented by the Organization for Women and Children in collaboration with the African Women Leaders Network.

“This project is a joint effort between OWC and AWLN to ensure that women and girls are meaningfully represented in political and leadership processes,” Denise said.

She explained that the project is being implemented under the theme: “Advancing Women’s Political Participation Through Social Norms Change and Global Advocacy.”

“The focus of this initiative is to challenge harmful social norms while strengthening advocacy efforts that promote women’s participation in leadership and governance,” she explained.

Denise revealed that upon the team’s arrival in the county, several engagements were held with civil society organizations, women’s groups, and the office of the County Superintendent.

“We held discussions with key stakeholders, including civil society organizations, women’s groups, and the County Superintendent’s office, to better understand the challenges women face in leadership,” she disclosed.

She noted that the purpose of the meetings was to facilitate open dialogue around the barriers affecting women’s involvement in political and leadership processes.

“These engagements created a platform for open dialogue on the structural and cultural challenges limiting women’s participation in politics and decision-making,” Denise added.

Denise further disclosed that based on recent baseline studies conducted in the county, the project has rolled out a series of capacity-building trainings for civil society organizations and selected women participating in the mentorship program.

“The baseline findings guided us to design capacity-building trainings aimed at strengthening the technical skills of civil society organizations and empowering women under the mentorship program,” she said.

According to her, the trainings are expected to strengthen technical support to local women’s groups and enhance their ability to effectively engage in governance and accountability processes.

“These trainings will boost women’s confidence and capacity to engage in governance issues, including policy dialogue and advocacy,” she emphasized.

Discussions during the engagements highlighted key issues, including the low percentage of women in leadership, limited participation of women in County Development Sittings, and their minimal involvement in decision-making—particularly regarding the County Development Fund.

“Women’s voices remain largely absent in critical decision-making spaces, especially in discussions around the County Development Fund,” Denise noted.

Meanwhile, several women’s groups praised the implementing partners for the initiative, describing it as timely and impactful.

“This program is a major step toward empowering women and expanding our space in political and social leadership across the county,” representatives of the women’s groups said.

They stressed that the initiative will contribute significantly to strengthening women’s participation in leadership and governance at all levels.