MONROVIA, Sept. 25 (LINA) – At the 77th Session of the United Nations General Assembly, President George Manneh Weah has emphasized that as Liberia’s Feminist-in-Chief, women empowerment and the promotion of gender equality remain key priority of his government.
Addressing the body in New York on Thursday, President Weah said although it is true that women do not only encompass almost half of the country’s population, but women play important roles at all levels of the Liberian society.
He added that they must be given equally deserved attention, support, and a place at the leadership and governance tables in the country.
The Liberian leader also told the august body that the Government of Liberia has developed a legal framework; including the ratification of regional and international instruments, to address gender inequalities that are being carried out as a result of socio-cultural perceptions, practices, and stereotypes that support male dominance and the subordination of women in Liberia.
“I would like to inform you that my Government, together with UN partners, is implementing the EU Spotlight Initiative to end violence and harmful traditional practices against women and girls, and promote their sexual and reproductive health and rights,” Pres. Weah noted.
He further stated that the Government of Liberia is currently implementing a 50 million United States dollars ECOWAS-funded project to enhance the capacity of female entrepreneurs across the nation.
Pres. Weah, at the same time, asserted that his commitment is reflected in the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), which embodies the expression of his government’s shared determination to achieve peace, prosperity, national development; address extreme poverty, inequalities, regional disparities, infrastructure deficits, climate change, and equitable distribution of national wealth.
Meanwhile, President Weah divulged that his Government has given the nation’s youthful population more than 60 percent support, and initiated a youth rehabilitation and empowerment program.
He indicated that the Government of Liberia embarked on a socio-economic empowerment program for disadvantaged youth between 2019 and 2021, with the subsequent launch of a 13 million United States dollar National Fund-drive to rehabilitate and empower at-risk youth in Liberia.
“We remain of the firm conviction that, when empowered, our youth can be a positive force for good,” the Liberian leader stressed.
Rancy S. Teewia