The Women Legislative Caucus Monday called on the Liberian media to raise awareness on the Affirmative Action Bill of 2016.

The bill seeks to create 21 additional constituencies in the House of Representatives.

It has already been passed by the Liberian Senate but the House of Representatives is yet to concur with the Senate on its passage.

The day-long consultative media engagement was held at the offices of the UN Women in Central Monrovia.

When passed, the bill will create one seat in each of the 15 counties exclusively for women, while three of the remaining seats will be for the youth and the other three for the physically challenged community.

The provisions for the youth and disabled, however, have clauses that call for one seat each to be occupied by a female.

Presenting the overview of the bill, Bong County Senator Jewel Taylor said the bill is one that is in conformity with international protocols to which Liberia is a signatory.

“In its quest to empower women to transform their nation, the United Nation is seeking to obtain a 50-50 representation by the year 2030,” she explained.

According to Senator Taylor, the media’s role is crucial in helping citizens understand and utilize the opportunities the bill seeks to provide, adding, “Unless the requisite awareness is created, the passage of this instrument will be in vain.”

The Women Legislative Caucus has said it wants all “he-for-she campaigners to vigorously work to ensure the passage of the bill that has already received the blessing of the Liberian Senate.”

Meanwhile, media institutions attending the day-long forum have resolved to assist the caucus in raising awareness, but called on members of the technical committee to avail themselves when needed to speak on the bill.

The gathering brought together representatives of several media institutions, current and former female lawmakers, he-for-she campaigners and representatives of civil society organizations as well as the youth and physically challenged.