Women Design New Nat'l Framework On Gender Based Violence
By Moses Wantu

October 25, 2005 – (The Analyst) Women in Liberia are presently engaged in sharing experiences on sexually gender-based violence intended to afford them the opportunity to develop a national framework on gender protection.

Scores of women, representing their respective communities and organizations at a workshop currently taking place at Ministry of Gender, have called on the government and international community to remain supportive to organizations that are advocating for gender equity and development.

The Minister of Gender and Development, Varbah Gayflor, in a statement, challenged Liberians, especially women, to vote for a candidate "who is more sensitive to gender issues in the country." Speaking at the Experience Sharing and Consensus Building Workshop on sexual and gender-based violence in the Conference Room of the Ministry of Gender and Development, Madam Gayflor said she was impressed with the level of achievement experienced over the year as a result of their gender advocacy in the country.

She admonished women not to feel weak in advocating for gender equity because "what they have been fighting against is gradually taking root and that justice will prevail for women in Liberia one day."

"Women can not go any where if they cannot be allowed to live in dignity, not allowed to live safe from rape, and not allowed to survive at their own choice," Madam Gayflor noted.

The World Health Organization (WHO) representative at the workshop, Musu Duworlo noted that "the workshop brought together scores of personalities from various national and international NGOs as well as community based organizations." She pledged WHO's commitment to supporting efforts aimed at making women productive and peace-loving citizens of Liberia.

The workshop which began yesterday October 24, 2005, is expected to last for five days to end on October 28. It is also expected to afford the organizers and facilitators the opportunity to share experiences and to use the experience to develop a national plan of action for Liberia.

She pledged WHO's commitment to supporting efforts aimed at making women productive and peace-loving citizens of Liberia.

The five days workshop is being held in collaboration with Ministry of Gender and Development (MDG), Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOH/SW) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

From: http://allafrica.com/stories/printable/200510250198.html