By Precious D. Freeman
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP) in collaboration with UN Women holds Post-Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68th) stakeholders meeting intended to accelerate gender equality and empower all women and girls.
The stakeholders’ meeting that was held in Monrovia yesterday brought together several women international organizations, CSOs, Ministers Heads of Agencies, commissioners of the government dignitaries from embassies, among others who helped to graced it.
UN Women Country Representative, Comfort Lamptey, said this year, women of Liberia joined their compatriots at the 68th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) in New York to take a clear look at where the commitment of gender equality is heading.
According to her, the 68th CSW was an expression of their collective commitment that SDGs cannot be achieved without equality between women and men, “And this year’s priority theme focuses on accelerating progress on gender equality by addressing poverty and strengthening institutions and financing.”
“After two weeks of deliberations and scrutinizing the plights of women and girls and other marginalized persons, a progressive agreed conclusions for CSW68 was adopted. My hope is that today, we will derive a plan in line with the agreed conclusion that will be implemented within our context,” she expressed.
She noted that as they have recognized the inequalities that impact the lives of women and girls living in poverty, they need to pull their resources together to address them.
Meanwhile, she appreciated the Embassy of Sweden for partnering with Un Women through their financial contribution that supported delegates as well as post CSW stakeholders meeting.
She emphasized, “UN Women stands with every woman and girl within the borders who are facing the scourge and consequences poverty, discrimination and all forms of violence; we reaffirm our continuous support and look forward to a fruitful deliberation on moving the agreed conclusion into action.”
The Minister of MGCSP, Gbeme Horace Kollie, stated that the CSW68th was a rewarding moment in New York which concluded at accelerating gender equality through poverty reduction, strong institutions, and gender responsive financing.
She added that the purpose of the meeting will afford them the opportunity to reflect on CSW68, their experiences both as individual and as team-Liberia, measure what they learned from the last engagements and ponder over what they can do differently on the next conference.
She further said as they discuss and reflects on CSW68, they all should keep reminding themselves of the good things and the huge opportunities the annual CSWs bring to their work, and the life-changing chances they can get out of the meetings.
“Thanks to UN Women and other stakeholders for the support as we hold the post CSW69 which is just nine months away, my team and I now have an opportunity to start the preparations early, familiarize ourselves with nominations from MACs and civil society,” the Minister assured
Madam Kollie said, “We have embarked upon the strengthening of Gender and Social Inclusion Units (GSIU) across the country, and this will be a great start to draw proper representations of MACs at future CSWs.”
Minister Kollie maintained that they can only call on participants to give these meetings their best efforts at expanding their networks, creating more partnerships and remaining committed to two weeks of engagements.
She emphasized that on the side of the government, they are to ensure partnership with UN Women and other stakeholders on a brighter approach for more gains at the engagements.
Minister Kollie is however calling on the national government through national legislature for more financial support to those endeavors.
“Adequate funding must be placed at the disposal of the Liberian delegation, the permanent mission in New York must be strengthened and helped in these preparations,” she noted.
