Liberia: Feminist Coalition Challenges Pres. Boakai Over Reassignment of Two Women Ministers

MONROVIA, Liberia —The Feminist Coalition has expressed frustration over President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr.’s decision to reassign two women from strategic Cabinet positions, warning that the move could undermine recent gains in women’s representation at the highest levels of government.

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By Patience M. Jones,patiencejones@frontpageafricaonline.com

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The Coalition’s concerns follow the reassignment of National Defense Minister Geraldine J. George and Commerce and Industry Minister Magdalene E. Dagoseh, with no simultaneous announcement of where the two ministers will next serve.

While acknowledging President Boakai’s constitutional authority to make appointments and changes within the Executive Branch, the Coalition said the absence of clarity surrounding the women’s next assignments raises questions about their continued influence in national decision-making.

The group said its frustration is particularly heightened because the reassignments came only days after it and other women’s rights advocates publicly commended the Boakai’s Administration for increasing the number of women in key leadership positions.

The Coalition described women’s increased presence in Cabinet as an important demonstration of political will toward inclusive governance.

However, it cautioned that progress should not be measured solely by the number of women appointed to government.

“Progress must therefore be measured not only by the number of women appointed, but also by whether women are retained in positions of authority and provided meaningful opportunities to influence decisions affecting Liberia’s peace, security, governance and economic development,” the Coalition said.

Defense Ministry Reassignment Raises Security Concerns

The Coalition singled out the reassignment of Minister Geraldine George from the Ministry of National Defense as particularly significant.

It argued that women’s leadership in Liberia’s security sector is directly linked to the country’s commitments under the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, including United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and Liberia’s National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.

According to the Coalition, these frameworks call for women’s full, equal and meaningful participation in peace, security, conflict prevention, protection and decision-making.

The group therefore warned that women must remain visible and influential in the country’s highest security institutions as Liberia works to deepen implementation of its Women, Peace and Security commitments.

Commerce Ministry Also Under Spotlight

The Coalition also emphasized the importance of women’s leadership in economic governance, particularly at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

It noted that Liberian women constitute a significant part of the country’s petty trading, market activities, agriculture, entrepreneurship and cross-border commerce sectors.

Yet, the Coalition said women continue to face barriers to finance, formalization, market access and business expansion.

It argued that their experiences must therefore be represented at the highest levels where policies on trade, investment, entrepreneurship and economic development are developed.

“A Change in Assignment Must Not Become a Reduction in Influence”

The Coalition’s central concern, it said, is not merely where Ministers George and Dagoseh will go next, but whether their reassignment removes them from strategic spaces where national decisions are made.

“A change in assignment must not become a reduction in influence,” the Coalition warned.

It said moving qualified women from strategic portfolios without immediately identifying equally meaningful positions risks undermining the progress the Administration has made in increasing women’s representation.

“Women should not have to celebrate gaining a seat at the table today, only to question whether that seat will still exist tomorrow,” the Coalition stated.

The group is now calling on President Boakai to provide clarity on the ministers’ next assignments and ensure that any new positions are commensurate with their qualifications, experience and demonstrated leadership.

Coalition Demands Broader Representation

Beyond the two ministers, the Feminist Coalition urged the Boakai Administration to sustain and deepen women’s representation across government.

The Coalition said qualified women should have opportunities to lead not only in ministries traditionally associated with women and social issues, but also across strategic sectors including security, justice, finance, infrastructure, natural resources, agriculture, technology, education, health, diplomacy and public administration.

It further called for greater opportunities for women at county, district and community levels, arguing that women must also be represented in decentralized governance structures where decisions directly affecting citizens are made.

The Coalition warned that the current changes should not result in a decline in either the number or influence of women in government.

Instead, it urged President Boakai to use the moment to reaffirm his commitment to inclusive governance by retaining qualified women in meaningful leadership positions while appointing more competent women across government.

“Our Position Is Not About Personalities”

The Coalition said its intervention should not be interpreted as a political attack on the President or the reassigned ministers.

“Our position is not about personalities or political affiliation. It is about protecting and expanding women’s right to participate fully and meaningfully in the governance, peace, security and development of Liberia,” the group said.

The Feminist Coalition comprises Medica Liberia, Liberia Feminist Forum (LFF), Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), Sisters 4 Sisters Liberia (S4S), and Radical Young Women Movement Liberia (RAYWOM).

The Coalition said it remains committed to constructive engagement with the Government while continuing to advocate for gender equality, women’s rights, inclusive governance, peace and security, justice and economic empowerment.