UN envoy to Liberia praises the role of women at all levels of Government

October 2, 2006 – (UN News Centre) Speaking at a high-level forum in Liberia, which is run by Africa’s only female president, the top United Nations envoy to the country praised the role of women at all levels of Government, saying they bring a “different perspective” to development and stressing the benefits of their involvement, particularly in the health and education sectors.

"Experience has shown that at all levels of Governance women do and can make a difference in raising awareness and in bringing a different perspective to a nation’s development agenda,” Alan Doss, Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Special Representative, told a gathering of female politicians, legislators and other officials.

"Experiences in other countries show that it makes economic, social and political sense to put the power of choice in the hands of poor women. Only then can we get significant and quick advances in improving health and education.”

Congratulating all the women who were elected during Liberia’s elections last year, or appointed to positions of leadership, Mr. Doss also called on development partners to place women at the centre-stage in rebuilding the country after years of conflict.

The Women in Governance Forum was organized by the Ministry of Gender and Development, in close collaboration with the United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).

From: http://www.un.org/apps/news/story.asp?NewsID=20098&Cr=Liberia&Cr1