Billions of women around the world, predominantly in third world countries, face human rights violations every day. As a global community, we are neglecting women’s rights to equality in every society. Months ago, I came across a woman who articulated the thoughts of women all over the world with eloquence and passion. This woman was Leymah Gbowee. Gbowee is a Liberian-born woman who rose to prominence during the devastating First Liberian Civil War. Gbowee’s valiant efforts contributed to Liberia’s ascension by eradicating the ruthless autocracy’s shadow over Liberia’s rich West African nation.
Background on the Liberian Civil Wars:
Liberia, the first African country to declare independence from its colonizers, had been relatively stable until the late 20th century. In 1980, the 20th President of Liberia, William Tolbert, was overthrown and killed by a coup d’etat conducted by his very own Sergeant Samuel Doe. This change in power was catalyzed by riots over food prices. Again, protests escalated to violence and resulted in yet another seizure of power, this time by Charles Taylor, a military insurgence force leader. Taylor was accused of backing vicious rebel forces in Sierra Leone, and in 2003 was exiled to Nigeria. His exile was the result of an angered international community. A transitional government was left to fill the void.
Leymah Gbowee On the March
Liberia had not seen a beacon of hope as strong and as bright as that of Leymah Gbowee, who came on the scene in 2002. Fed up with the culturally enforced subservience of women in tumultuous Liberia, Leymah Gbowee spoke out and garnered the support of many other women for a cultural revolution. In 2002, Gbowee and her numerous allies assembled. They encouraged other women to post fliers to attract the support that the revolution would require. “We are tired! We are tired of our children being killed! We are tired of being raped! Women, wake up – you have a voice in the peace process!” read the fliers. Gbowee and her fearless band of women continued with numerous strikes and earned the media attention they needed to make a change. In 2003, Gbowee was invited to speak with Charles Taylor and the Senate of Liberia on behalf of the many women who were tired of the oppression they had been dealt for millennia. “We are tired of war. We are tired of running. We are tired of begging for bulgur wheat. We are tired of our children being raped. We are now taking this stand, to secure the future of our children. Because we believe, as custodians of society, tomorrow our children will ask us, ‘Mama, what was your role during the crisis?'”
Not only did Gbowee and her supporters usher in peace, ending seemingly ceaseless fighting, but Gbowee’s protest also led to the appointment of the first elected female leader of Africa: Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Gbowee stressed that women in leadership are effective brokers for peace. Fear from those afraid of abandoning old social ideologies should not hold us back. It is time to make room for a new, global generation of women who are ready to ascend to their rightful, equal place in society. Our world should learn to follow women like Gbowee, women who are unafraid of confronting important issues, in order to move forward.
Women’s Equality Issues Today
Even in more developed countries, there is gender disparity in the workplace. Out of the 195 countries in the world, only 11 of them have elected a woman to serve as head of government. Unfortunately, the United States does not fall among those 5.6% of countries that have demonstrated true political equality for women. In the United States, women make up 51% of the population, yet only 17% of the members of Congress are women. What kind of standard does this establish for the rest of the world?
As a young woman, reading the remarkable accounts of Leymah Gbowee’s success has given me hope that in the future, women will be heard amongst the men. How many ethical lines are we going to cross before we acknowledge the capability and intellect of womankind? When will women in all parts of the world gain an equal footing in all aspects of society?
As women, we are all are eternally grateful to Leymah Gbowee for projecting her voice, a voice that so many are unable to find within.