By Precious D. Freeman
As Liberia joined the rest of the world to celebrate the International Firefighters’ Day in Monrovia, the Ambassador, Extra-Ordinary and Plenipotentiary, Godfrey Odudigbo, said recruiting and supporting women firefighters is an important issue to address in the firefighting profession.
According to him, though women make up a small percentage of firefighters worldwide, they are known to face unique challenges in this male-dominated field, yet, it is important to recognize their contributions and provide them with equal opportunities for career advancement.
He made the statement yesterday at the Barclay Training Center (BTC) where he served as guest speaker for the International Firefighters Day in collaboration with Orange Liberia, under the theme ‘Breaking Barriers to Equity; Recognizing and Supporting Women in Fire Fighting.’
He noted that developing mentorship programs and leadership trainings specifically for women firefighters as well as creating equal opportunity and inclusive workplace culture that supports diversity and gender equity is necessary.
Guest speaker Odudigbo asserted that supporting women firefighters in addressing physical and logistical challenges that may disproportionately affect them in the workplace should be prioritized to encourage them to put in their best.
“For example, fire gears and equipment can be designed to be more accommodating for women while facilities can be designed with women’s needs in mind, such as separate changing areas and restrooms, nurseries for breast-feeding mums and close-up nursery school for those with little children,” he proposed.
The guest speaker further disclosed that it is important to raise awareness about the contributions of women firefighters and promote them as role models and mentors for future generations of female firefighters.
He maintained that this can include giving the women responsibilities by appointing them in positions commensurate to their level of education and training in firefighting, thus allowing them to showcase their skills and expertise on the job.
“There must be fair placement in positions of authority and rank to the effect that they are aware and are assured of the possibility of a woman to raise to the highest point of the Fire Service career like their male counterparts,” he added.
He emphasized that in positions of leadership, women, due to their motherly instincts, are known for their judgments and in most cases known to have out-performed their male counterparts in crises and disaster managements.
“When operations involve community engagements, women play vital roles as the primary caregivers in both their families and communities, and they bring valuable expertise in understanding the needs, concerns, and priorities of those affected by disasters,” he mentioned.
The Director General of the LNFRS, Alex Dickson, extended gratitude to President George Weah for overwhelmingly supporting the service and its members.
“The President has given us six fire trucks and six cars for the deputies and ministers, which is the first of its kind since 1948,” he said.
He added that as they are celebrating the International Firefighters day, he is wholeheartedly impressed with the work the fighters do amidst the many challenges encountered every day.
He added that the theme for the celebration is aimed at drawing the attention of relevant authorities of the Government of Liberia to the existing inequities in the fire service profession that work against the interests of the women officers.
Meanwhile, he appreciated Orange Liberia for their supports in sponsoring some officers who went for advance training and are back home.a
