It is with deep pride and unwavering commitment that I welcome you to the official website of The Angie Brooks International Centre for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security (ABIC).
Founded in honor of Angie Elizabeth Brooks, a pioneering Liberian jurist, diplomat, and the first African woman to preside over the United Nations General Assembly. ABIC was created to carry forward her legacy of justice, gender equality, and bold, transformative leadership.
As the Establishment Coordinator, I, Yvette Chesson-Gibson, Esq., have had the privilege of guiding ABIC’s work across Liberia and Africa, promoting the empowerment of women and youth, while advancing the critical causes of peacebuilding, civic education, and inclusive governance.
At the center of this mission is our flagship initiative, the Women’s Situation Room® (WSR). More than just a program, the WSR is a peacebuilding innovation that actively mitigates violence before, during, and after elections by empowering women and youth to observe, mediate, and engage key stakeholders in constructive dialogue. The President of the United Nations Security Council formally recognized the WSR as an example of the important role women play in influencing parties to armed conflict. In an official statement to the Council, the WSR was acknowledged as a prevention initiative which “helped to prevent or mitigate the eruption and escalation of violence, inter alia through observing and monitoring, and by engaging stakeholders in constructive dialogue and peace advocacy.” United Nations Security Council Letter S/2021/900, October 25, 2021.
At ABIC, we elevate women not merely as bystanders in peace processes, but as essential architects of sustainable peace. Their leadership, voices, and participation are critical to building resilient, just, and inclusive societies.
Equally central to our approach is civic education. We believe that democracy flourishes when people are informed and engaged. Our education programs empower citizens, especially women and youth with the tools they need to make informed decisions and advocate for change.
To deepen our grassroots reach, we also deploy the innovative “Talking Bus” project, a mobile civic education and dialogue platform that travels across Liberia to engage civil society, traditional leaders, and communities in open conversation on peace, security, governance, and human rights.
This website is your gateway into ABIC’s work, our vision, and the transformative impact of our partnerships. We invite you to explore our initiatives and join us in building a world where women and youth are not only participants in peace and governance, but leading the charge for lasting change.
Thank you for visiting.
Warm regards,
Yvette Chesson-Gibson, Esq.
Executive Director
The Angie Brooks International Centre (ABIC)