LIBERIA: Unmil Supports 30 Percent Women Bill

The United Nations Mission in Liberia or UNMIL has pledged support to a bill, seeking 30% women involvement in public offices here.
UNMIL Deputy Special Representative to the Secretary General Moustapha Soumare, said UNMIL strongly supports the bill, seeking 30% involvement for women. The DSRSG noted that United Nations here has over six joint programs, five of which support women issues. He also disclosed the launch of the UN Progress of the World's Women Report expected to commence this weekend. Progress of the World's Women is UN Women's biennial investigation of progress made towards a world where women live free from violence, poverty and inequality. Provocative and insightful, this series is the product of multi-year processes that bring together leading practitioners and academics to undertake thorough research and in-depth analyses. The title for this year's Progress of the World's Women is, "In Pursuit of Justice." The series also focuses on women's access to justice and offers fresh perspectives and approaches to ensuring women globally can access justice.

Also speaking at the news conference, Deputy Gender Minister Annette Kiawu, said in every country there are many local justice institutions, such as village courts, which often exist completely outside of the purview of the State. "Like all legal and justice systems, those based on custom or religious or ethnic identity sometimes discriminate against women," she said. She said International law recognizes the right of all communities to culture and in the case of indigenous populations, the right to determine their own systems of law and for resolving grievances. The minister noted that States also have obligations to eliminate discrimination and ensure access to justice within all justice systems.