By Augustine Octavius, augustineoctavius@gmail.com
The Liberia National Fire and Rescue Service with funding from the United Nations Women has officially launched its gender policy to protect the interest women and increase their roles in decision making att the entity.
Speaking at the launching ceremony recently, the Director of the Liberia National Fire and Rescue Service, Alex Dickson, said his administration will always ensure it involves women in the decision making and hold sensitive positions.
According to him, several women are all ready holding senior positions and are performing better than some of their male counterparts in the discharge of their duties.
He explained that since 1948, the Liberia National Fire and Rescue Service has never had a female to sit on the table in making decisions at the entity.
“It was during this administration that we appointed the first female as Assistant Director for Administration, the first female as a chief of operation and the first female as training commandant.”
The Liberia National Fire and Rescue Service Director indicated that he has a wealth of knowledge of the promotions of females and their rights in most of the security sectors in the country.
In remarks, the Deputy Country Representative of the UN Women, Pamela Nkwamba, reaffirmed the UN’s commitment in supporting the Liberia National Fire and Rescue Service in improving its gender programs.
She commended the leadership at the Liberia National Fire and Rescue Service for increasing women among the recruits who are currently undergoing training at the Liberia Police Training Academy,
The UN Deputy Country Representative maintained that the adoption of the gender policy by the Liberia National Fire and Rescue Service is an indication of the Liberian government’s commitment in adherence to the international instruments and protocols governing the rights of women.
Nkwamda welcomed efforts by the leadership of the Liberia National Fire and Rescue Service to increase the number of females in its rank and file .
The program was graced by the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Williamena Piso Saydee Tarr; Miude Simah, Gender Officer, Ministry of Justice ; Isatu Bah-Kaanneh, President, Liberia National Female Law Enforcer Association, among many others.