There were high hopes for Liberia’s women when Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became Africa’s first elected female head of state.
But 12 years later, many feel let down by her actions.
As Leymah Gbowee, who won the Nobel Peace Prize alongside President Sirleaf in 2011, told the BBC: “In terms of delivering a women’s agenda, we really didn’t see that.”
However, it seems Ms Johnson Sirleaf was determined not to leave office with that hanging over her head.
On Friday evening, as one of her final actions as president, she signed an executive order banning female genital mutilation (FGM) for under-18s which also seeks to protect women against violence.
The ban was initially part of a wider bill against domestic violence, which Liberia’s upper house rejected for fear it would harm the country’s culture and traditions, FrontPageAfrica.com reports.
Ms Johnson Sirleaf believes the lack of the FGM ban left the law incomplete, according to a press release from the president’s office.
But there is no doubt her critics will question the timing of the executive order.
Indeed, her supporters are only too aware of what its timing means.
As Liberia’s Gender Minister Julia Duncan Cassell said: “Madam President, as you leave office this will be your legacy.”
Source; BBC