Four Members of the Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism SLAWIJ arrived in Liberia to monitor the ongoing elections scheduled today 10, October 2023.

The delegation which arrived on Sunday 8th October 2023, Joined the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL) as elections Observer. The cross-border relationship between the two female Media Organizations will help to strengthen the bilateral relationship between the two Organizations to enhance the work of women Journalists and promote women’s rights.

SLAWIJ is a nonprofit female media organization set up to promote the welfare and increase the capacity of its members and to promote the development of women and children across the country.
As part of its mandate which is to build the capacity of its members, the four journalists will be deployed alongside FeJAL members as a way to increase their knowledge in elections reporting and women’s participation in the elections.

“This serves as a great opportunity in our first cross-border elections monitoring experience,” SLAWIJ Executive President Mrs. Millicent Kargbo said.

SLAWIJ appreciates this great sacrifice amidst the current challenges the Association is faced with and extends thanks to the leadership of Mrs. Siatta Scott Johnson, President of FeJAL for the invite.

Liberians are voting in a fiercely contested presidential election today 10, October 2023, with former football star George Weah, 57, making a bid for a second term. His main challenger is former Deputy President Joseph Boakai, 78.

Mr. Boakai has waged his campaign under the slogan “Rescue”, arguing that the West African state went downhill during Mr. Weah’s first six years in office.

But Mr Weah is confident of victory, saying that he has kept Liberia stable and has improved education.
This is the first time that a generation of young voters, born in peace-time Liberia, are voting for a president.

A brutal civil war, which killed an estimated 250,000 people, ended two decades ago.