By Alfred Kollie, alfredkolliejr92@gmail.com
In observance of United Nations Day, UN Women’s Country Representative to Liberia Ms. Comfort Lamptey wants government and partners to create the necessary environment or spaces for women to be able to realize their full potential if they must contribute to the growth and development of Liberia.
UN Women’s Country Representative to Liberia noted that if Liberia should succeed in its developmental addenda, there is a need for the involvement of women in all of its activities across the country.
“Liberia’s development growth cannot succeed unless women are working hand to hand with men to move the agenda forward,’’ Madam Lamptey noted.
According to her, women across Liberia have shown that they are ready and prepared to play leadership roles in every given situation and opportunity given to them for the betterment of their life, family, and society.
She maintained that it is against these backdrops, that the UN Women is working to support women to run for political offices and have their voices in the decision-making processes of Liberia.
According to a UN Women report published recently, “Women’s representation in public office remains low and so does their participation in elections as candidates. There are nine female and 64 males in the House of representatives, two females and 27 males in the House of Senate of the Bicameral national legislature. There are five female and 14 male ministers in the cabinet and this under representation cuts across local government.”Women Political Participation and Leadership | UN Women – Africa
The head of UB Women in Liberia noted that as part of its activities in Liberia, the UN Women is working with women across Liberia in ending harmful traditional practices.
Speaking Monday, October 24, 2022, on the observance of United Nations Day in Monrovia, Madam Lamptey said they are proud to showcase some of the work they are doing with women to president Weah and other partners across the Country.
The United Nations General Assembly adopted its Resolution on October 13, 1957, declaring October 24 of each year as the anniversary of the Charter of the United Nations, to be observed as “United Nations Day” and called on The Member States to cooperate with the United Nations in the observance of the Day.
This year marks the 77th Anniversary of the United Nations Day which is celebrated under the theme: “A watershed moment: transformative solutions to interlocking challenges”.
Let me say happy UN Day to all Liberians because we are all part of the UN not only UN staff.
This day, when we get change as United Nations to interact with the Liberian people we say a little bit about things that we are doing to support Liberia’s effort and advance peace and development’’.
They are currently working with women cooperatives in the agriculture sector in Bong and Grand Cape Mount and also working on ending the issue of gender-based violence, violence against women as well,’’ she explained.
During the exhibition which was witnessed by President Weah, both International and local partners, and several top officials of government, UN Women’s Country Representative presented commended beneficiaries in Bong and Grand Cape Mount counties for getting involved in transforming their life.
Beneficiaries through the support of the UN Women put on display packaged cow peas, super gari, hot pepper, 90 days duration of improved seed rice variety, organic laundry soap for three years duration oil palm, and country bread.
The Women Economic Empowerment, promoting innovation for gender equality is designed to help empower women in rural communities across Liberia.
UN Women is also working with women’s peace huts in Liberia and is currently working to transform the peace huts to become a platform where women can do more economic development activities in Liberia.
Meanwhile, Madam Comfort Lamptey UN Women’s Country Representative to Liberia has announced the launch of a heritage center in Grand Cape Mount Country this November during the sixteen days of activism and is working to make sure they leave no one behind.