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Iron Ladies of Liberia

Episode 3 of 11

Documentary about the Liberian president Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Africa's first elected female head of state, as she struggles to take control of a country devastated by civil war.

When Ellen Johnson Sirleaf became Africa's first ever elected female head of state, filmmakers Siatta Scott-Johnson and Daniel Junge were there to follow her. It was the start of an extraordinary year they spent with the Liberian president as she struggled to take control of a country devastated by years of civil war.

Together with her 'iron ladies' (the finance minister and police chief are also formidable females), she takes a firm hold on the government, trying to root out corruption and spend the tiny annual budget carefully. But it is not an easy task, and everything seems to be against her - even her presidential mansion burns down.

1 hour

Credits

Role Contributor
Director Daniel Junge
Director Siatta Scott Johnson
Participant Ellen Johnson Sirleaf
Series Editor Nick Fraser

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