FeJAL Boss Raps At CAB’s 8th General Assembly

By Grace Q. Bryant
The president of the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL) Siatta Scott-Johnson is calling on the government to invest funds into job skills and other training programs that will develop and prepare people who are differently able or living with different abilities, physically challenged, youth and women for the job market in the private sector.
Speaking at the 8th General assembly of the Liberia Christian Association of the Blind (CAB) on February 26, at their head offices in the R2 Community, along the Robertsfield highway, Madam Scott-Johnson emphasized that efforts should be made to ensure that no Liberian, regardless of which groups they find themselves, are excluded from political or any forms of participation.
CAB’s three-day General Assembly which beganb yesterday end on Friday is being held under the theme, “Creating space and opportunities in society for inclusive social development and the empowerment of the blind to engage in the economic and social life of the state for individual sustainability.”
“The government needs to take steps to facilitates processes and policies that will include women, people with different abilities which are usually placed in the vulnerable group category, as well as include temporary measures such as the use of ramps to facilitate their access to education, health, polling facilitates by increasing its effort to enforce the Affirmative Action Law which was passed since 2016,” she reminded.
Madam Scott-Johnson expressed that Liberia still ranks the lowest in the world with only 10 women in the Legislature and said although Liberia was the first country in Africa to democratically elect a woman as the head of state in 2005, women continue to face distinct challenges when attempting to participate in political life as well as in elective positions.
“We all saw how women were underrepresented as voters, poll workers, party agents and candidates which was a trend that continued during the bi-elections” the head of the female journalists in the country maintained.
However, Madam Scoot-Johnson mentioned Article 8, Chapter 11 of the Constitution of Liberia which states, “The Republic shall direct its policy towards ensuring for all citizens, without discrimination, opportunities for employment and livelihood under just and humane conditions and towards promoting safety, health and welfare facilitates in employment.”
And also included Article 18 which she stated ”All Liberian citizens shall have equal opportunity for work and employment regardless of sex, creed, religion, ethnic background ,place of origin or political affiliation and all shall be entitled to equal pay for equal work.”
She continued that in September 2016, the House of Representative passed the Equal Representation and Participation Act of 2016, establishing seven ‘special constituencies’ among which five seats will be reserved for women and other two for people living different abilities.
Madam Scott-Johnson spoke on the topic, “The review of Liberia’s Affirmative Action Law and the need to join mainstream women organizations to achieve its enforcement for the benefit of all. Why and why not?”