By B. Linus Flomo
The Swedish-based international organization, the Kvinna till Kvinna, in collaboration with partner organizations has launched its 9th Women Consultative Conference in Nimba County.
The conference is geared towards making a significant impact in national movements for gender equity and women’s empowerment.
The two-day event themed “Bridging the Gap: Fostering Women’s Solidarity, Peace Building and Inclusion” featured keynote addresses from prominent women leaders including Kvinna till Kvinna Country Director, Aisha Lai, Madam Mary Larteh, Paramount Chief in Bong County and others.
Their speeches underscored the urgent need for systemic changes to ensure equal opportunities and right for women.
During the conference, delegates participated in a round table discussion and series of talks, such as economic empowerment, political participation, education, healthcare and combating gender based violence
The conference is geared toward women unity and identifying barriers to fostering solidarity among women.
According to the organizers, the conference was first held in 2015 with the core objective of bringing Liberian women together after confirming the issues surrounding why women are disconnected to help break all barriers with the objective of strategizing ways of uniting women in sisterhood.
Giving the opening remark of the program, UN Women Coordinator Ghoma Karloweah, urged the women in attendance to be opened by sharing their views so they can discuss openly for the best interest of Liberia, “21 years ago when the peace accord agreement was signed Liberia women were in the fore front.”
“We also saw few years back when Liberia was faced with both Ebola and Covid crisis women stood their ground and saw it coming to an end,” she added.
Speaking on behalf of Nimba County Superintendent, Samuel Hardt the City Mayor of Gompa City encouraged everyone to reflect on the cause of women empowerment especially in strategic positions in national government.
“In Nimba, like any other part of Liberia, we recognize the bridge and gaps in women participation and empowerment. For the first time we are now seeing women leading remarkable roles in our county, women commissioners and numerous women stepping in roles that was once close to them,” he asserted.
Madam Larteh serving as keynote speaker started by thanking Kvinna till Kvinna for organizing the all-important program by bringing women from all parts of Liberia together in recognition of their 9th consultative conference.
She also informed the audience that the theme for this year conference is “Women Do You Know Your Value”?
Madam Lamptey also encouraged women to take action adding, “If we know our value, we will not have separate women, we will take ourselves to be one body.”
She said further that when women hold together great things happen and therefore, used the occasion to talk about the rule of law should be upheld by attendees at all times.
The first day seating of the conference concluded with a renewed sense of urgency and commitment among participants to continue advocating for gender equity in their respective spheres.
The Women’s 9th Consultative Conference has set a robust agenda for future action.
