Esther S. Davis Yango

Esther S. Davis Yango is the Executive Director of the Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), the national umbrella organization representing more than 250 women-led and women-focused civil society organizations across Liberia's fifteen counties. She is an award-winning women's rights advocate, human rights defender, and development leader with extensive experience in strategic leadership, organizational development, policy advocacy, peacebuilding, governance, and institutional strengthening.

Her leadership journey at WONGOSOL reflects a remarkable commitment to advancing women's rights and strengthening Liberia's women's movement. She joined the organization as a volunteer in 2010 and, through dedication and exemplary service, was appointed Field Coordinator in 2012, Membership Coordinator in 2013, and Executive Director in October 2022. Having risen through the ranks, she brings deep institutional knowledge and visionary leadership that continue to strengthen WONGOSOL's role as Liberia's leading network of women's organizations.

Over the past decade, Ms. Yango has led and managed complex national and international development initiatives focused on women's leadership and political participation, the Women, Peace and Security agenda, transitional justice, democratic governance, civic engagement, ending violence against women and girls, psychosocial support, youth empowerment, and community resilience. She has successfully mobilized partnerships with government institutions, development partners, diplomatic missions, regional bodies, and civil society organizations to expand opportunities for women and girls while strengthening institutional capacity across Liberia.

A passionate advocate for inclusive governance, Ms. Yango has played a pivotal role in amplifying women's voices in decision-making processes and strengthening the participation of women survivors, grassroots leaders, and young women in peacebuilding and national development. During Liberia's 2023 Presidential and Legislative Elections, she worked alongside national and international partners to strengthen the leadership and campaign capacity of women candidates, coordinating support that enabled more than twenty female candidates to compete more effectively. She continues to lead national advocacy initiatives aimed at increasing women's representation in elected and appointed leadership positions and promoting gender-responsive governance.

Ms. Yango is widely recognized for her leadership in Liberia's transitional justice process. She serves as Co-Chairperson of the National Transitional Justice Coordinating Committee (NTJCC), where she works with government institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, and survivors' groups to advance the implementation of Liberia's transitional justice agenda. She has been a leading advocate for ensuring that women, survivors, and marginalized communities are meaningfully represented in accountability, reconciliation, and justice processes, including ongoing national efforts toward the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court.

Beyond her executive leadership at WONGOSOL, Ms. Yango plays a prominent role in shaping national policy and advancing women's leadership, democratic governance, and transitional justice in Liberia. She serves as Co-Chairperson of the National Transitional Justice Coordinating Committee (NTJCC), where she works alongside government institutions, civil society organizations, development partners, and survivors' groups to promote a survivor-centred, gender-responsive, and inclusive transitional justice process. She has been a leading advocate for ensuring the meaningful participation of women and marginalized communities in accountability, reconciliation, and justice initiatives, including national efforts toward the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court.

At the regional and continental levels, Ms. Yango served as a cluster-lead for the Anglophone Cluster of the Solidarity for African Women's Rights (SOAWR) and as Vice President of the Network of Peace and Security Women in ECOWAS Countries (NOPSWECO) Liberia Chapter, where she contributes to advancing women's leadership, peace, security, and human rights across Africa.
Her governance and advisory roles further reflect her commitment to strengthening democratic institutions, gender equality, accountable leadership, and media freedom. She serves as Co-Chairperson of the Liberia Media Council and serves on the Boards of the Elections Coordinating Committee (ECC), the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA), the Women Empowerment Forum (WEF), the Women Land Rights Taskforce of Liberia, and the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL). She is also a member of the Fiscal Transparency Advisory Group, serves on the Steering Committee for the implementation of Liberia's National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security, and is an active Steering Committee member of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) Liberia Chapter, the Liberia Feminist Forum, the Rule of Law Reference Group, and the Women Human Rights Defenders Network of Liberia.

Through these leadership roles, Ms. Yango continues to influence national and regional policy, strengthen civil society, and advance the rights, leadership, and meaningful participation of women and girls in governance, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.
A proud feminist, Esther S. Davis Yango is deeply committed to advancing a peaceful, just, and inclusive Liberia where women and girls are empowered to lead, shape public policy, and contribute meaningfully to sustainable development. Through her visionary leadership, WONGOSOL continues to strengthen the collective voice of Liberia's women's movement, champion gender equality and human rights, and promote women's meaningful participation in peacebuilding, governance, and national development.