LIBERIA: Gender Ministry Launches National Policy

The Ministry of Gender and Development has for the first time launched the national Gender Policy in three of the fifteen counties of Liberia as pilot. The Gender & Development Assistant Minister for Planning and Administration, Madalene Dagoseh who spoke in Bong, Nimba and Grand Gedeh Counties separately, indicated that the Policy is intended to provide equal opportunity for both men and women as it relates to their participation in national decisions. Minister Dagoseh who led the high powered delegation to those counties observed that women have in the past been neglected and marginalized by their male counterparts in decision making and it was now time that they be given the chance to serve in strategic positions in the country.

She called on the gatherings, which were predominantly women, elders and youths that women's rights to national leadership and participation must be protected at all times. She stressed the need for women to be encouraged to assume offices even at the local and national levels.

The Assistant Gender & Development Boss, who also described women as good managers said, if women are given the opportunity to lead, they would better represent the interest of the people.

The journalist who travelled with the delegation explained that copies of the policy that were printed in both standard and simple versions, as well as posters and stickers were distributed to the citizens of those counties.

At the same time, the sensitization campaign on the importance and implementation of the National Gender Policy is expected to continue in the remaining counties shortly. The citizens of the three counties, in separate statements welcomed the initiative by the Liberian Government to strengthen women to venture in every occupation that a man can occupy.

The deputy Immigration Commander in Grand Gedeh County called for the involvement of more women in the security sector, especially in the immigration apparatus to take up assignment at the border posts of the country, which he said the job cannot be executed without the full participation of women. He added that it is important that women take up assignments in these areas, since they do find it difficult to carry out screening on women crossing the border to enter Liberia.

As part of the sensitization exercise, the Ministry of Gender and Development and its partners are working with town criers, school drama clubs, and cultural troops to disseminate the information to the citizenry through various performances.

While in each of the counties, the Assistant Minister along with the Director of Policy at the Ministry appeared on live radio talk shows to explain and educate the citizens on the essence and importance of the policy.