Monrovia – The Internal Audit Agency of Liberia (IAA) has officially launched its Gender and Social Inclusion Desk in Monrovia.
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The launching ceremony was held on Friday, October 16 at the Clar Marie Weah Hall on 12th Street, Sinkor, Monrovia alongside the inaugural Retreat of the Agency’s Female Association.
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The dual event marks a deliberate effort by the IAA to champion gender equality in its operations and foster professional development, leadership, and inclusion across the institution.
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Addressing staff at the event, the Director General, David A. Kemah, outlined management’s commitment to creating a safe and equitable work environment.
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DG Kemah disclosed that he was happy to note that in his last four years as DG, he hadn’t had the need to implement disciplinary action against any staff for sexual harassment.
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However, Kemah noted that he wasn’t confirming that it never happened, but he hopes that it doesn’t happen.
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He was also glad to report that under his administration, the IAA was able to move from zero females in leadership to six in senior leadership positions during the last four years.
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Clarifying the core purpose of the newly established Gender and Social Inclusion Desk, the DG emphasized that its primary objective is to evaluate the agency’s performance and responsiveness regarding gender equality, ensuring everyone receives equal opportunity to excel,
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While emphasizing that both men and women are essential to building a stronger IAA, the DG announced that a male staff member will serve as Co-Chair of the Desk to ensure it works equitably for all employees.
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Commenting on the establishment of the Female Association, Kemah commended the female employees and urged them to use the platform to foster social cohesiveness and champion the professional interests and aspirations of members.
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The retreat provided a foundational platform for the Female Association to build solidarity, enhance leadership capacity and outline a shared vision to advance the Agency’s overall mandate.
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Discussions centered on overcoming workplace challenges, mentoring talent and consolidating the vital contributions women make to the IAA.
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The establishment of the Gender Desk aligns with Liberia’s National Gender Policy (NGP), which mandates public institutions to integrate a gender lens into their operations rather than treating gender as an isolated issue.
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The NGP itself draws inspiration from United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325) on Women, Peace and Security, which advocates for increased female representation in decision-making and the integration of gender perspectives into post-conflict development.
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With a substantial female workforce and a growing presence of women in senior management, the IAA’s latest initiatives position the agency at the forefront of national gender mainstreaming efforts, moving beyond symbolic representation to practical, institutional action.
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