The United Nations Communication Group (UNCG) in collaboration with the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL) has concluded a day-long workshop for journalists.
The project held in Monrovia was under the theme: “Promoting gender equality for a sustainable tomorrow” which was an effort to promote gender equality and sustainable development and as well enhance the knowledge of media practitioners in Liberia.
The Chief Child Protection Deputy Representative at UNICEF, Melina Harizanova, said the UN recognizes the pivotal role of the media in shaping people’s opinion and perceptions.
According to her, the media also plays an important role in helping people construct their identities, social norms, and values in relation to gender.
“We realize that the media are important stakeholders in promoting gender equality; so, we are therefore gathered here to set the stage for gender equality and break all barriers that hinder promotion and achievement of gender equality in Liberia,” she stated.
She added that gender equality is goal five of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals while gender equality is captured as a stand-alone goal which cuts across all the SDGs and gender considerations must be included in all sustainable development works.
She indicated that the theme for the International Women’s Day also recognizes the contributions of women and girls across the world who are leading the charge on climate change adaptation, mitigation and the response to build a more sustainable future for all.
Madam Harizanova intoned that achieving gender equality and empowerment of women and girls remain a priority and that must continue to be invested in it and be ensured that gender equality is at the center of everything that is done.
However, the Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister, Williametta E. Saydee Tarr, used the occasion to clarify that the Ministry has never been selective in seeking justice in gender violence cases unless the case does not reach them.
According to her, the Ministry has the capacity to investigate every case that reaches its desk but admitted that the only time some issues are left aside is when those issues are beyond their power and has to be transferred to the Ministry of Justice.
In her justification about the First Lady’s issue being provided immediate attention, the Gender Minister stated that the First Lady represents all the women of Liberia and if something of such nature happens, definitely there needs to be an alarm and that is what they also do for everyone.
Minister Tarr explained that the Ministry has 15 offices in all of the counties including Montserrado with gender coordinators, supervisors and social workers who attend to any SGBV cases from the counties level and that they are clothed with the authority of forwarding the matter for investigation and advocacy.
She further stated that they are trying to put in place mechanisms on the prevention of SGBV in the country adding, “How to prevent SGBV is something that we want everyone to help us with; which can start from our own household and at the Ministry in order to stop the perpetrators from engaging themselves in such habits.”
Minister Tarr maintained that the prevention of the SGBV will include community initiatives to be carried out thereby creating awareness and engaging block leaders, campaigns and talk shows which cannot be done alone but need the help of everyone in the country.
She indicated that even though at the end of the day the SGBV issues will not be eradicated totally, but can change the mindset of people.
The gender minister then appreciated FeJAL for its support and strength towards the issues of SGBV and hoped that the entire media do the same to ensure that all women can be at the front as head of leadership teams.
