With the award of the Nobel Peace Prize last week to three influential women including two Liberians, the world will surely take notice of the October 11th elections in Liberia. On Tuesday, the first female African president seeks reelection in a country that has made undeniable progress to recover from the combined effects of over 14 years of civil war, the global food and financial crises, and from hosting thousands of refugees seeking solace from neighboring conflicts.
Recognition by the Nobel Committee of the important work of peace activist Leymah Gbowee and President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, and the upcoming presidential elections must not, however, hide the reality that millions of Liberians face every day: poor infrastructure, limited access to basic services such as health care, few livelihoods options and a heavy dependence on food imports.
