Liberian President – My Election As First Female President Is Strong Signal To Women In Africa

Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, President of Liberia, has said that her election as the first woman to be democratically elected as President in the African continent was a strong signal to all women and girls in Africa.

Sirleaf added that it also signaled a new dawn with the prospect of leveling the playing field between men and women in politics in Africa.

Read also : Bob Dee, Making The 'Queen' Sparkle

 The Liberian president made the remarks while delivering a lecture on the topic, “Women in Politics” over the weekend, at the International Convention Centre, Owerri.

Mrs. Sirleaf was in Owerri for a two-day visit on the invitation of Rochas Foundation College of Africa.

In her words, “Women in Africa are still behind in politics due to social, cultural, economic and political constraints that limit their political participation. And the women in Africa have to do much more to get the equality that we all seek.

 “Quality education changes the attitude and mindset of people. And equality means better performance, and also means better life for everyone. Hence, we need to put more emphasis on education to enhance performance. That is why what the Imo Governor, Rochas Okorocha, is doing with his Foundation should be encouraged.

 “In our political parties, we need to put more emphasis on recruiting female candidates including in and outside politics. Our governments need to do more to put females in up and down the hierarchy. We need to ensure that we as women take the advantages that we have and develop a strategy to deal with the disadvantages we face.”

Read also : Obasanjo Has Gotten A New Job

On the statue erected in her honour, Sirleaf said that it served as a great inspiration to young girls, women and others who would want to develop their potentials.

 “I hope that this statue and the other honours I received would serve as great aspiration to the young girls, to the women, to know that we can reach our potentials. We can achieve our dreams. We can stand tall among the many women of the world in providing the kind of exemplary leadership that will lift us up to stand, as I stand representing women,” she stated.

 Unveiling Mrs. Sirleaf’s statue, Governor Rochas Okorocha said Sirleaf had done Africa proud in particular and the world at large.

“I therefore make bold to say that the Liberian President deserves every honour because she has remained a woman of inspiration,” Okorocha added.