By: Naneka A. Hoffman
UNFPA and UN WOMEN empowered youth groups with computers and communication equipment to purposely accelerate digital opportunities for youth participation in building and sustaining peace in Liberia.
Speaking during the presentation ceremony held at the Invisible Park in Monrovia over the weekend, UNFPA’s Resident Representative in Liberia, Bidisha Pillai, said the United Nations attaches importance to the involvement of youths, women, and other marginalized groups in maintaining peace and participating in the country’s decision-making process.
According to Madam Pillai, computers will greatly assist young people, women, and marginalized groups in having access to issues of national interest.
Speaking on behalf of the beneficiaries, Abdullah Bility, the Vice President for International Affairs at the Federation of Liberian Youths, who spoke on behalf of the youth organizations, thanked the UNFPA, UN Women, and the Young Men Christian Association for including young people in the project.
Also speaking on behalf of the Women In Peace Building Network Program, Delvin Morris welcomed the decision to continue using materials, including digital machines, to make peace in the country.
Bega Meles of UN Women said her organization is proud to work with the YMCA and the UNFPA to empower women and youth groups in Liberia.
During the presentation ceremony, J. Bryant McGill, Deputy Minister for Youth Development at the Ministry of Youth and Sports, commended the UNPFA and the United Nations Women for presenting computers and other information sets to several youth organizations in the country.
Minister McGill applauded the UNFPA and UN Women for presenting the computers and communication equipment because it is in line with the government’s ARREST agenda.
The minister added that digital transformation is essential to programs for young people in the country.
Several organizations that received computers and communication sets were the Center for Exchange of Intellectual Opinion, the National Union of Organizations of the Disabled, and the Federation of Liberian Youths, among many others. Editing by Jonathan Browne
