-The Group launches Women vocational empowerment Program
By Mark N. Mongonfia
A local Non-Governmental Organization, Just A Girl Initiative has begun transforming women and girls through its empowerment program in Liberia
Speaking over the weekend during the official launched of the organization Vocational Skills Program for Women and Girls Empowerment in Duazon Lower Margibi County the Founder and executive Director Evelyn Kpadeh Seagbeh who give the over view of how the organization was established .
According to Mrs. Seagbeh, it all started in the late 2013 at the time she was reporting on the many social , cultural and environmental vices that victimized women and girls which led them to becoming victims of physical abuses ,teenage prostitutes , early teenage mothers , rape , domestic violence and least to say illiteracy rate among others.
This has prompted her to develop the idea of establishing the Just A Girl Initiatives when she produce an investigative radio documentary unearthing the growing wave of teenage prostitution in one of Liberia’s largest cities in the Monrovia suburb of Paynesville .
‘’Sadden by the emotional stories of the young commercial sex workers I decided to go back after a few months to help some of the girls who become empowered , helped their children in school since they said they were prostituting to pay their fees and awarded them mini loan to state up a business and live a new positive life to abandoned the practice , the first four girls were then recruited in 2014,” she explained.
She further disclosed that in 2016 from series of consultations it become evident that there are other young women and girls who are not necessarily commercial sex workers but lack opportunities as a results of the Just A Girl than diversify now benefiting single mothers , teenage mothers , potential young women both in schools and communities.
Madam Seagbeh said the organization key activities included advocacy , mentorship, counseling and rehabilitation , vocational and life skills ,educational assistance , community services, exual and reproductive health education ,economic empowerment among others.
According to her following the launched of the organization several Liberians supported the Organization that was able to allow them purchase the vocational skills program materials that led to the launching of its vocational skills program for women and girls .
She further reveal that the organizer was grateful to those humanitarian who supported their vision something that allow the organization to bestow honor upon them.
Those that were honor included Rev. Emmanuel J. Giddings Sr, Rev.Dekontee Panton , Rev. Samuel Enders , Madam Ada Pratt Deddeh , Mrs Ciata Stevens D’Almeida, Ms .Marennie J.Mitchell , Mrs N’bete Smallwood Gizzie, Ms. Patience Beer , Mr. Ebenezer M. Wilson, Mrs. Helena Wenneh, Mr. Abraham Garneo, Mrs .Teyangi M. Kpaan Kerkula, Mr. Vandalark R. Patricks and Mrs. Oretha Bundoo.
Presenting the certificates to the honorees, the Liberia Broadcasting System Deputy Director General for Media Services Tetee Gebro used the event to encourage Females to take practical Steps in acquiring vocational skills.
Madam Gebro said acquiring vocational skills as female will put them in a better position to compete with their male counterparts.
Madam Gebro further expressed gratitude to the organizer for such a vital initiative and also urged those with in the community who will benefit from the organization vocational program to make good use of the opportunity to acquire skills that will empower them for the job market.
Also speaking during the event the Chief Executive Officer of MJM Production who proxy for Rev. Emmanuel Giddings Marennie Mitchell challenged Parents to take key interest in supporting educational programs that will empower their children.
Madam Mitchell further said it is dishearten for some women to continual engaging into activities that have the propensity to undermine their future .