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Monrovia, Liberia----A four-day International Colloquium ended in Monrovia with a renewed call for urgent focus on issues that reinforce the protection and empowerment of women.
Under the subject, “Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security,” the women called on all nations to implement the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on women, peace and security.
The discussion group, attended by more than 900 women leaders from across the world, represented a major gain in the history of the colloquium, sources said.
The round-table convention was co-convened by President Tarja Halonen of Finland and President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, who launched the Angie Brooks Center for training on women’s empowerment and leadership development.
The Colloquium’s international component, held on 7and 8 March, tackled gender dimensions of climate change, economic empowerment, migration, and effective leadership.
The national dimension, which was held on 9 and 10 March, discussed Liberia’s National Action Plan on resolution 1325, as well as the sustainability of gender empowerment programs, including participation of women in leadership at all levels, prevention of sexual and gender-based violence and the protection of women from abuse.
In a taped message to the gathering, UN Deputy Secretary-General, Ms. Aisha Rose Migiro noted that the risk of being beaten coerced into sex, or otherwise abused in a woman’s lifetime, increase in situations of armed conflict when sexual violence often becomes a weapon of war.
The message, which was introduced by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General and Coordinator of UN operations in Liberia, Ellen Margrethe Løj, emphasized the need to position peace and security for women and girls at the heart of formulating development policy.
Delivering remarks during the launch of Liberia’s National Action Plan on resolution 1325, Ms. Løj lauded Liberia’s President Sirleaf for her consistent emphasis on the importance of women’s involvement in shaping the future of Liberia; for focusing on protecting women from violence; involving women in decision-making; and doing everything possible to ensure that women are part of the process and that they benefit from adopted policies.
She noted that the Plan was a demonstration of the country’s commitment to fully “taking account of women in policies and programs.”
Ms. Løj also pledged the full support of the United Nations family in Liberia to the implementation of the Action Plan and called on all present to “demonstrate that women’s leadership, and women’s participation makes a difference in the daily lives of women and girls – even in the most remote villages of Liberia.”
At a parallel event on MDG3 held during the Colloquium, the Deputy Special Representative of the Secretary-General, Mr. Jordan Ryan pointed out that the global financial crisis was an opportunity for Liberia to focus on entrepreneurship in the agriculture sector and market goods to countries that would be affected by food shortages. He also acknowledged the resilience in Liberian women and said, “You have come out on the side of hope; you can transform society by empowering your daughters and girls.”
Among other events, Deputy Executive Director of the UN Population Fund (UNFPA) and Assistant Secretary-General Ms. Mari Simonen presented a UNFPA Award to President Sirleaf in recognition of her outstanding contribution to the restoration of dignity and respect for women and girls in Liberia.
The Colloquium also organized skills development workshops for selected participants on businesses, sales, marketing, negotiation and contracts.
In addition to exhibiting the variety of goods and services by Liberian women businesswomen, the Colloquium screened the efforts of market women involved in the Liberian peace negotiations in 2003, chronicled in the film, “Pray the Devil back to Hell.”
The Colloquium was organized by Liberia’s Ministry of Gender and Development and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with support from the UN family in Liberia, regional organizations, individuals and private sector sponsorship, among others.
Editor’s Note: This is an unmil release revised by The Liberian Journal.
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