Truth, Womanhood & Free Speech: Can We See the Bigger Picture?

President considers Ms. Gbowee’s critique 

as an exercise of free speech 

It was extremely amazing how the women of Liberia put up an elaborate welcoming ceremony for President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on last Wednesday as she hit the ground from Tokyo, Japan, where she attended the annual meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund.

The motive behind last Wednesday’s elaborate thanksgiving and welcome program indeed went far beyond celebrating the President’s achievements in Tokyo – including the assurance from the Japanese to help expand Somalia Drive to 8 lanes. It had all to do with layered domestic affairs – ceasing the opportunity to create a platform where they would rebuff criticisms emanating from a fellow woman.

The thing is that the President has undertaken countless foreign trips during which she effectively conducted Liberia’s foreign policy of development diplomacy – putting forth Liberia’s development agenda and soliciting partners’ assistance. And true enough, she has emerged with resounding successes in the majority of such endeavors.

Islam or African Tradition? __ Marking the Myth of the 'Double Sermon'

There is growing fear among Muslims in Liberia, Guinea and Cote d'Ivoire that the observance of this year’s Eid-El-Adha (also known as “Tabaski” or “Abraham's Day”), which falls on this Friday, October 26, could be ominous for the leaders of their respective countries, especially their heads of state. 

This expressed fear is entrenched in a notion especially held by Muslims in the above countries that “double sermons” should not be preached on the same day.  Thus, with this year's Eid El-Adha occurring on a Friday, which also happens to be a normal prayer day in the religion, a second service of worship is expected that day. 

Stepmothers

Either of the fairy tales, Cinderella, or Snow White, paints an evil picture of step-parents, especially stepmothers.  The way a stepchild is treated by most stepmothers in our society helps to reinforce a traditional cultural belief that stepmothers are wicked or heartless. 

Many stepmothers tend to instigate their husbands’ beating and mistreatment of children who live in their home but are not born to their union: stepchildren. But whenever the husband frowns at his wife’s biological child(ren), tension mounts in the home and the husband is caught between a rock and a hard place.  All the children are fruits of his loins, but only some belong to his current wife who apparently regards her husband’s other children as less than her own. 

Women & Power: How Are We Doing?

A Liberian mother doing what she can to contribute to keep her family going

After parading women around the corridors of power, what difference has it really made? Women in our society today have been greatly challenged to transcend the status quo by claiming their rightful place in the public sphere, something they had for decades been denied.

Mothers

I have met quite a few unhappy young women who are living with emotionally abusive mothers. Feeling so miserable, some have continued to wonder why their own mothers would decide to treat them like strangers. Others, too, have said that they always have heavy heart because they don't know why their mothers are competing with them. I, personally, find this ridiculous. But it's real. It's happening in this world of ours. I find it extremely difficult to understand why a mother that suppose to love her children be emotionally abusive to them.

Torn Between Family & Work: The Balancing Art of Liberian Mumpreneurs

Jacqueline runs a home-based snacks enterprise that serves as a self-employment opportunity for this mother of one

In Liberia, a country recovering from a civil war that spanned nearly two decades, for many women entrepreneurs, starting your own business may not be a choice, but a necessity. Hundreds of them work in what could be considered just above the lowest ebb of the economy, vending wares that are the dietary staples of their society.

There are scores of them – predominantly single moms – who dare to  establish and operate full-time a home-based enterprise. However, they soon find themselves unconsciously allotting more time and even affection to their business than their families. Balancing work  and life thus becomes a real sticky issue.

Torborgi and Its Kinds

Bitter balls on display at the Rally Time Market

Torborgi stands as one of the major Liberian dishes which transcend cultural, ethnic and religious bonds. As the name suggests, it is a sub-regional cultural meal liked by many Liberians. As it is perceived across the sub-region, the meal originated from both northern Liberia (Lofa) and the Guinean city of Macenta.

Locals of both Macenta and Lofa are noted for their love for torborgi and how excellently the meal is prepared by them. Also, the women of Macenta and Lofa are also well-known for their production of some of the best torborgi oil regionally.

The Power Of Dried Bony: Have You Tried It?

Dried bonnies add to the taste of your meal and make
 it simply sumptuous

Here comes a new day for me to get set and begin the preparation of a sumptuous meal. People are always tempted to clean their plates or bowls with their tongues after eating my food.

Someone once told me this: “You know, I could continue eating for another three to four rounds. The first round was actually meant to satisfy my hunger. But now, I’m left in a dilemma. I want to go for another round and that will be for taste and a third, also for taste, and a fourth, for taste.”