BARCLAYVILLE, Grand Kru – Grand Kru Superintendent Antoinette Worwele Nimely is calling on President Joseph Boakai to appoint more women to local government positions in the county.

Speaking at an interview in Nimba, Superintendent Nimley emphasized the importance of gender equality in leadership roles, noting that doing so will foster development.

She pointed out that most local positions within Grand Kru, especially at the grassroots level, are male-dominated, with only a handful occupied by women.

“So far, as a county, we have three city mayoresses, one commissioner, one paramount chief, [and] one superintendent, among others, so as the appointments are ongoing by the president, I recommend for more female appointments that will positively reflect the 12 traditional communities,” she said.

“We need more women in positions of power to ensure that the needs and concerns of all citizens, regardless of gender, are adequately represented.”

Of the more than 70 local government officials in Grand Kru appointed so far by the president, women constitute less than 20 percent.

The Grand Kru superintendent also announced the start of her tour of all the county’s districts. She said the tour would allow her to interact and engage with citizens before forming a county development agenda.

The tour, she said, will inform her leadership on the development needs of the county.

She promised that the new county administration would prioritize working with women’s organizations on the local, national, and international levels to address the county’s challenges. She also sees the increased number of security personnel and the creation of safe homes for victims of abuse and other domestic crimes as very important.

Featured photo by James Suah