Source: All Africa
The under performance of some female politicians has undermined the credibility of prospective female candidates for state powers both in Liberia and Africa at large.

Montserrado County District #9 Lawmaker, Munah Pelham Youngblood, who made the statement further expressed fear that "Elect Her in Africa" Campaign launched in the 2015 Women Leadership Summit held in the United States will not materialize in the 2017 political process anticipated in Liberia.

The situation of under performances by women entrusted with national leadership, according to her has cast dark clouds over the chances of female politicians who may aspire to the presidencies of Liberia and other African countries.

The Montserrado County female representative made the statement recently at the Capitol Building when she address a across session of Liberian Journalists on her achievements and performance at the 53rd National Legislature since her election in 2011.

She said female politicians who may aspire to the echelon of state power have seemingly lost their chances for future elections for due to their poor performances in their offices thereby betraying women to lose past electoral chances the enjoyed in Liberia in the 2005 and 2011 when a Liberian female politician was overwhelmingly elected to the highest seat of the country.

Representative Pelham who is a stalwart of the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC)further stated her fear that women have lost their chances to be elected to state power when she pointed out that most women politicians in state power have chosen to perform contrary to the hopes and aspirations of the electorates who have given them mantle of leadership.

Madam Youngblood said electorates expect that their leaders redeem them from the yoke of poverty, underdevelopment and avail to them safe-drinking water, social justice, equity and economic empowerment and other opportunities that could better their social statuses and upgrade their standard of living.

But to the contrary, Madam Youngblood said female leaders have not lived up to these expectations thereby performing in a way that have served as stumbling block to the chances of others who may have interest to come after them in leadership.

Representative Youngblood doubts that the participation of female candidates in the ensuing Liberian elections will determine the contrary to her thoughts that a female presidential candidate will lose the election to the highest political seat in the country.

She however disclosed that in the Female Leadership Summit that was held in the Unite States this year, they have launched a campaign called "Elect Her in Africa".

She said that at the summit they highly brainstormed on identifying the female successor of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf in Africa after her tenure as president.

She said the campaign is to a larger extent considered in the Liberian case that the country will only regain its democratic status and enjoy massive international benevolence if women are given the chance in the upcoming 2017 general election.

The District #9 lawmaker also called on his colleagues to see reason to pass women participation bill that has been pending before the House in the committee room.

She said if the bill is passed, it will encourage more women participation in politics in the country.
The female lawmaker also boasted that with all the challenges she faces as a female lawmaker, she has launched a program called "12 Months, 12 Projects" in her district.

The Lawmaker also admitted that since she was elected representative of District #9, she has not been able to meet all her oversight responsibilities; but she was quick to note that in her own capacity as a representative she has met 75% of her election promises to her constituents.
She further unveiled that law making is not just proffering bills, saying that the bills proffered should directly impact the lives of the common people in the country.

Meanwhile, the District #9 representative called on both the lower and the upper Houses of Legislature to pass the 30% bill that will avail more enhances for women's political participation.

• Liberia