Newly and re-elected members of Liberia’s Legislature have pledged their commitment to place issues impacting the growth and development of women, girls and children at the front burner of discussions at the legislature.
This was one of the highlights of commitments made by the incoming and re-elected lawmakers of the House of Representatives and the Senate at a two-day retreat organized by Integrity Watch-Liberia with support from UN Women.
“Ensure that all donor off-budget projects and programs are analysed from a general perspective and accompanied by a gender statement of the national budget,” a portion of the recommendations from the lawmakers assert.
“Ensure the orderliness and participation of key stakeholders in the budget process are followed,” the recommendations further explain.
The recommendations further enumerate that they should help “ensure that Budget Performance Reports capture and clearly document actual outcomes, measurable achievements, challenges, and recommendations for continuous improvements.”
Speaking at the start of the two-day brainstorming session , Representative P. Mike Jurry of Maryland County’s District #1 commended Integrity Watch -Liberia and partners for initiating such a retreat for the incoming lawmakers.
“This provides a platform for not just interactions as colleagues of the incoming legislature but for us to always map out ways to do our work in the best interest of the people of Liberia.”
“This is setting the stage for the people to be fulcrum of our duties as would-be lawmakers,” Rep. Jurry indicated as he poured praises on the organizers of the retreat.
The Executive Director of Integrity Watch-Liberia, Harold Aidoo described the retreat as an exciting opportunity to build on the gains made from the just-ended Presidential and Legislative Elections.
“We are proud of what we can consider signpost contributions to the history-making events of the national elections in our country,” Aidoo said while recounting his institution’s role during the polls.
Aidoo hopes that the retreat will also help stimulate discussions amongst the lawmakers to push for reforms that will boost the democratic credentials of Liberia.
“We are pleading with our lawmakers to make use of the voting machines to enable the citizens to know how their lawmakers vote on national issues.”
He believes that not having a voting system that shows how a lawmaker voted on a particular issue will create doubt on the workings of the legislature.
In brief remarks, the Chief of Party of USAID Elections and Democracy Activity, Stephanie Lynn, thanked the lawmakers for gracing the two-day training.
Ms. Lynn acknowledged what she considered the visible air of enthusiasm that the lawmakers appear to be bringing to their job.
“We will love to start a new chapter with you as you begin representing your various counties and districts,” she added.
