Shakira Imam

Liberian peace activist who mobilized women to end Liberia’s civil wars through nonviolent protests

Shakira Imam (born 1968) is a Liberian human rights advocate and co-founder of the Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace movement. During Liberia’s brutal civil wars (1989–2003), she organized Christian and Muslim women to stage daily protests demanding an end to violence. Their 2003 demonstrations, led by Imam and Leymah Gbowee, pressured then-president Charles Taylor to attend peace talks in Ghana. This pivotal moment led to Taylor’s resignation and the election of Africa’s first female head of state, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf. Imam’s leadership exemplified how grassroots women’s movements can reshape political landscapes in conflict zones.

Post-war, Imam co-founded the West African Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), training women in conflict resolution across Ghana, Sierra Leone, and Nigeria. Her memoir Comfort Me with Apples (2010) details her experiences balancing activism with motherhood during Liberia’s turmoil. Imam’s work has been recognized by the Nobel Peace Prize (shared with Gbowee and Tawakkol Karman in 2011). Critics argue her efforts were overshadowed by male-led peace initiatives, but her strategies—such as fasting and prayer vigils—highlighted the moral authority of women in peacemaking. Her advocacy continues through the WANEP, promoting women’s roles in African governance.