The Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC), has embarked on a Gender Responsive Procurement (GRP) project that is comprehensive and evidence -based for women owned businesses that are operating in Liberia.
Speaking at a daylong Gender Responsive Procurement ( GRP) roundtable workshop on Monday, November 8, 2021, PPCC Executive Director, Attorney Roseline Nagbe-Kowo, elaborated that creating gender parity and access for women owned businesses in Liberia’s procurement system cannot be overemphasized to utilize the five percent exclusively earmarked for women businesses, which is enshrined in the Small Business Act.
According to her, the GRP project which has been designed and sponsored by the United Nation (UN) Women could meaningfully help women owned businesses move from the informal to the formal sector because, they will be knowledgeable about the country’s procurement laws and system before and after any bidding contract is announced for general participation.
She expressed optimism that this Gender Responsive procurement project when finalized, it will create maximum awareness for empowerment, equality, access, job creation and opportunities for Women Led Businesses ( WLB) that are operating in the 15 counties in Liberia.
The PPCC Executive Director further noted that the enforcement of the 25 percent for Liberian owned businesses that have exclusive five percent for WLB should be respected by all procuring entities in the public and private sectors in Liberia.
” PPCC will engage the Ministries of Gender, Commerce and other actors for the robust implementation of all results contained in the Gender Responsive Procurement project to enhance growth for women owned businesses that have five (5) percent legal right in every procurement contract,” Attorney Kowo noted.
She strongly belief that people from diverse backgrounds will greatly contribute to answering questions contained in the project documents for favorable outcomes that could trigger training and full enforcement by PPCC and other stakeholders to enhance national adherence in the interest of Women Led Businesses ( WLB).
Attorney Kowo said all types of businesses that women are operating have been captured in the survey papers to ensure gender balance in Liberia’s procurement system.
” Equality and access are key principles in the Gender Responsive project that needs to be prioritized for women owned businesses that are positively contributing to the Liberian economy,” the PPCC boss intoned.
Also speaking, UN Women Programme Specialist, Straven H. Willie, pledged the global body support for women owned businesses to ensure competitive and gender-balance procurement.
According to him, Liberia has demonstrated commitment towards the promotion of gender equality through development of key national policies and legal frameworks that are in alignment with international commitments.
He mentioned that Liberia has made effort to mainstream gender into concession awarding processes.
Mr. Willie lauded Peace Building Fund for its support that has enabled the Gender Responsive Procurement project to be successful.