Liberian Women in leadership from more than 50 women organizations, representing all shades of political, religious, community and non-governmental organizations have described Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee's statement against President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as a disgrace to womanhood.
During a meeting held at the Gender Ministry in Monrovia on Friday, October 12, 2012, the women from diverse background also deemed as "ill- timed and most unfortunate", statement reported to have been made by Gbowee recently.
A press statement authorized by the women communication coordinator Tetee C. Karneh, said the women in their collective wisdom acknowledged that it was most unfortunate for Nobel Laureate Gbowee to have issued 'derogatory remarks' during the launch of her book in Paris, France "when in fact, women around the world have expressed pride that two women from Liberia emerged for the first time as Nobel laureates."
The statement said: "There were strong emotional expressions, calling for Ms Gbowee to be condemned, while a few women for caution [want] to allow room for dialogue upon her [Gbowee's] return to Liberia." Among many suggestions, the women requested that Leymah Gbowee be called to a meeting to discuss her recent utterances.
They insisted that Gbowee be called at the earliest, as they discuss a wide range of issues and approaches relative to how the women of Liberia can continue to show positive leadership to other women in Africa and the world at large.
The statement said the women were informed about the diverse calls of shock and indignation from women across Africa and the world at large upon hearing of Gbowee's rather "unfortunate remarks" about her fellow Nobel Laureate, President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf.
In the midst of their dismay over Gbowee's comments against the Liberian leader, the women are however said to have called for a show of strong support and solidarity with the President on her return from Tokyo, Japan.
The statement said they encouraged one another to welcome the President as a woman leader of Africa and a proud Nobel laureate for peace, "a prize the world has come to appreciate along with her leadership style which has seen the image of Liberia change along with peace and stability."
They at the same time re-affirmed their abiding faith in the development vision and leadership of President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and called on her not to allow negative tendencies to divide the women as they strive to maintain leadership.
Notwithstanding, the women have called for a standing committee to be established to meet on a monthly basis to provide leadership and continued guidance to the women of Liberia, rather than to only converge when there is crisis.
The women leadership thanked the Minister of Gender Madam Julia Cassell and the Minister of Labor Madam Vabah Gayflor for calling them together in a spirit of maturity and pride to womanhood.
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My mothers it is unfortunate that such a low level politics will come to foe in the form of women group coming together to critize Leema. I am of the belief you people meeting was meant to safe face for this rotten and corrupt government. It is not surprise for one like Minister Cassell to call such a meeting. Her deeds at Bassa when she serve as Superintendent speak volumes and still she was awarded Ministerial Job. A shame on such a so called gathering. Madam Gbowee was right to resign so that she will not be judged tomorrow. CORRUPT, CORRUPT ALL THE WAY.
This article is just another one of the cheapest form of dying propaganda undertaken by Ellen Johnson Sirleaf's administration. 'Liberian Women in leadership meeting at the Gender Ministry'? Where else do you expect this trash to come from? Kpawolozu? New Dawn you can do better than that. Be-careful before you get tainted.
Morlu said while some of the president’s supporters have used the appointment of Robert Kennedy as Attorney General by his brother John F. Kennedy as an excuse, the fact of the matter is that Americans, like Liberians, disapproved the appointment of Robert Kennedy.
“And so America passed a law prohibiting president from appointing their relatives in Government. And since then no American president has appointed his children and other relatives in Government. Like America, we have a law against nepotism, so those who say there is no law in Liberia are wrong. It is called Article 5 of the Liberian Constitution, codified into law by the Executive Order 38 issued by President Sirleaf. And she has violated the law that she instituted and she wants no one to talk about it.” - John Morlu
What do you expect from these women who were hiding under their beds and between their husbands legs when Leymah was fighting for peace and speaking truth to power. Now they want to come out of the woodwork to criticize. Ellen has sent them to do her dirty work. leymah DESERVES the peace prize and she has earned it. Liberian women want to dress and sleep around and wit hteh little money they get from ellen, they will alsways do her bidding. They can criticize all they want, Leymah is heads above them and has a pure legacy in the international community.
Ha, ha. is this not hte same former Gender Minister that teh women asked ellen to fire because she was skimming teh gender ministry employees salaries? Is this not hte same freckled faced cassell who was head of Montserrado and then ellen rewarded her even more? Yes, Liberian women will always tear each other down. Buch of sycophants who have done nothing for the country now tehy are very courageous to open their mouths. Why don't you talk aboutEllen's sons in power and the corruption instead of attacking Leymah?
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