Liberia’s think-tank body, Governance Commission, embarks on in-house training on gender equality.
By Lewis S. Teh
Monrovia, Liberia, October 23, 2024—To strengthen and promote gender equity across various government institutions, the Governance Commission (GC), through its Gender and Social Inclusion unit, is beginning a two-day intensive in-house training on gender equity promotion.
Acting chairperson Professor Alaric Tokpah stresses the need for immediate action to promote gender equity at various workplaces.
“Gender equity,” he says, “is key to nation building, and as part of GC efforts to create a vibrant working environment that will give women the opportunity, we thought to conduct this in-house training.”
Professor Tokpah, in the next two days, there will be awareness building and discussion surrounding the importance of gender equality for everyone, including men and women.
Addressing participants Tuesday, October 22, 2014, at the Commission office in Sinkor, Monrovia, he said the fight for gender equality and equity isn’t just about women; it’s about every human being; however, he notes that women have been disadvantaged, and there’s a need to give particular attention to their concerns.
The Acting GC boss wonders if there is sufficient evidence that women can perform as better leaders worldwide, but they are so disadvantaged that they don’t take on leadership roles.
“When will a woman become president in powerful countries like China, the United States, or Russia? We have done our best by producing female Presidents, Vice Presidents, and Chief Justices. This kind of training is meant to reinforce that half of the population has been marginalized; we need to work together to promote development,” the university professor continues.
He extols partners through the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning and the Gender Ministry, among others, for the support given to the GC gender unit over the years.
Giving an overview of the training, Ms. Patience Coker, a research assistant, says it has successfully accomplished many of its goals since the establishment of the unit.
She names key goals as mainstreaming the act that establishes the GC, mainstreaming decentralization policy, including mainstreaming the Local Government Act and implementing Phase I of the gender-responsive planning and budgeting 2022 project.
She recalls that in 2022, US$ 20,000 was allocated to the GC for the gender unit through the MFDP’s gender-responsive planning and budgeting program, adding, “Today, the latest initiative is the allocation of another $20,000 given to the GC to undertake gender initiatives such as purchasing equipment for the gender social and inclusion unit, the training workshop, and other important initiatives.”
George Garteh, a Policy Analyst at the Governance Commission, says the commencement of the two-day in-house training marks a significant step in the institution’s journey towards creating a more equitable and inclusive environment.
“As we embark on this training, let us be reminded of the strength in our diversity and progress that can be achieved when we commit to good understanding and uplifting one another.”
Mr. Garteh says the training is a learning curve, an experience, and a transformative process that calls for active participation, open-mindedness, and a shared vision for gender equality and social inclusion.
The ceremony was graced by staff of the GC, government officials from line ministries and agencies, and commissions, among others. Editing by Jonathan Browne
