Women have high hopes for first female president-elect

Catherine Brooks has taken a day off from her job as a secretary to paint sidewalks and mop up the Liberian capital. For the women’s groups who have taken to the streets with brooms, shovels, wheelbarrows and paint brushes, the 16 January swearing-in of Africa’s first female elected leader, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, will be “the dawn of a new day.” They have high hopes the war-wounded country’s new leader will clean up government and make Liberia whole again. “The inauguration of Madam Sirleaf is a joy for every woman and we are here making sure to clean the city up for a successful inauguration,” Brooks said. For female politicians, ex-combatants and fruit vendors alike, pride is sky-high and so are expectations. “Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, being the president of the new government, must give priority to basic social services such as water and electricity, ensure security for all since we are just coming from years of war and make sure that there are better health facilities for the people,” said Ruth Sando Perry, 67 and a veteran of Sirleaf’s Unity Party. Perry has an idea of the challenge; she served as unelected interim Liberian leader during a lull in fighting in the mid-1990s. “I know what it takes to be a leader. Leadership is not an easy task.” And for former combatant, Black Diamond, Sirleaf is up to it. “What can men do that women cannot do?” she told IRIN. “Ellen’s election brings pride for all women no matter where you may be. I am sure she will make our country a shining star in Africa.” Formerly one of the most formidable rebel fighters of Liberians United for Reconciliation and Democracy, Black Diamond now makes a living importing women’s clothing. “The election of Madam Sirleaf is a victory for all women and it is time that all women despite our political affiliations rally around her to ensure that her administration is successful. I am very sure that she will bring change in Liberia.” Even those who backed Sirleaf's rival in the first elections after 14 years of war, footballer George Weah, are ready to put differences aside for unity and rebuilding. Sheilla Brown of the Weah camp’s women’s group says she looks to the 67-year-old grandmother to be a maternal figure and a unifying force. “Even though we opposed her during the elections, I want her to be the mother of the nation where she would not discriminate [against] anybody who may come from different political groups,” she said. “Let her play a motherly role to make sure that there is no witch-hunting for political beliefs.” An end to division and an end to corruption - that’s also the hope of Mariama Sarnor, a mother of six who sells fruits and vegetables in downtown Monrovia.

A Sirleaf supporter

“For so long this country has been backward and we need a strong leader to make the tough decisions in making the country better by fighting corruption,” Sarnor said. “I know from her background, she can make it.” Sirleaf’s background - Harvard-educated economist with stints at the UN, the World Bank and Citibank - might have been among the main factors pushing Liberian voters to choose her over rival and political novice, Weah, in the run-off round of the election last November. In her campaign, Sirleaf vowed that fighting corruption would be a top priority, along with restoring services in a country that is still without running water or electricity more than two years after the end of fighting. Etweada Cooper, a member of the transitional government’s committee overseeing the inauguration ceremony, told reporters that hundreds of women from all over the world will assemble in Monrovia to witness the historic event. Liberian government officials have confirmed that US First Lady Laura Bush, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and UN Deputy Secretary General Louise Frechette are expected to attend. “This event brings dignity to women from Guinea, Sierra Leone, Ghana, Nigeria and other parts of the world,” Cooper said. “[Women] are coming to celebrate this ceremony and president-elect Sirleaf’s ascendancy to the highest office brings joy to every one of us.”