-UN Women, Gender Ministry host Post-CSW stakeholders’ engagement
By Jerromie S. Walters
Looking ahead to CSW69, which is just 9 months away, the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection in collaboration with UN Women Thursday, June 20, 2024, held a Post-Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68TH) Stakeholders Meeting, at Musu Spot Conference Hall, Congo Town, Liberia.
With a conglomeration of representatives from different civil society organizations, the International community, and government institutions- the Post-CSW68 Stakeholders Meeting provided a platform for reflection and planning for future CSW conferences, with a focus on maximizing the benefits of these international gatherings.
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW or UNCSW) is a functional commission of the United Nations Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), and one of the principal organs of the United Nations.
At the occasion on Thursday, Liberia’s Gender Minister Gbeme Horace Kollie referenced the opportunities that CSW meetings bring for their work and encouraged participants to make the most out of these life-changing chances. Minister Kollie urged her team to start preparations early and focus on strengthening Gender and Social Inclusion Units across the country.
She emphasized the importance of proper representation from civil society at future CSW conferences and called on participants to expand their networks and partnerships during the two weeks of engagements. At a Post-CSW68 Stakeholders Meeting, Minister Kollie emphasized the importance of reflecting on their experiences and lessons learned from the conference.
Minister Kollie also emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing its partnership with UN Women and other stakeholders for more gains at these important meetings. She expressed her gratitude to all stakeholders for their support during the recent Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68) in New York.
The Agreed Conclusions from the CSW 68 envision a world with greater financial inclusion, increased spending on social protection, and equal opportunities for women and girls everywhere. Ms. Comfort Lamptey, UN Women Liberia Country Representative called for the implementation of these conclusions to make a tangible difference in the lives of women and girls, accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030.
She urged stakeholders to take action on these key points and sustain the dialogue leading up to the 30th Anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. She thanked the Liberian delegation and the Embassy of Sweden for their support and partnership in advancing the rights and empowerment of women and girls in Liberia.
Gender-responsive budgeting was highlighted as a key tool to allocate resources equitably towards policies and programs that support women in moving out of poverty. Ms. Lamptey emphasized the need to support women’s organizations and gender advocates in demanding accountability for women living in poverty, including providing robust, flexible financing to challenge gender discrimination and promote equality.
Moreover, the UN Women Liberia Country Representative highlighted the urgent need to address the issue of extreme poverty faced by millions of women and girls globally. She emphasized that progress towards ending poverty by 2030 is too slow, with 10.3 percent of women worldwide currently living in extreme poverty, including Liberian women.
Ms. Lamptey stressed the importance of debt relief to free up public financing for policies and programs aimed at ending poverty for women and girls. She noted that high debt servicing in low-income countries like Liberia is hindering investments in crucial areas such as education, health, and social protection. She called for the establishment of a sovereign debt workout mechanism to expand fiscal space for gender-responsive and pro-poor policies.
From her end, the Executive Director of the Women NGOs Secretariat (WONGOSOL), Esther David Yango expressed confidence in the Gender Minister and believes she will do better. Howbeit, she stressed the need for support to women-led NGOs.
Her words, “We also want to reemphasize the issues of financing women’s institutions. We all know the challenges that women NGOs face in Liberia when it comes to finances. Women have the passion, they know the issues that the communities are faced with so women use their finances to respond to issues. Our international partners must consider more on financing women’s institutions so that they can be able to respond to those issues that directly affect the women of Liberia.”
Also, Madam David rallied the Gender Minister to engage the executive to fulfill the 30 percent gender quota of women’s representation in government. “We want the Gender Minister to remind the president of his commitment because he committed to 30% women empowerment so we are reminding you honorable minister to meet with the president and tell him that it will be see that he committed to the 30%.”
In a remark on behalf of the International NGOs, Dr. Anna Brzozowska, Head of Political and Economics Governance Cooperation of Delegation of the European Union to Liberia emphasized the EU’s commitment to the fight for gender equality in Liberia.
Brzozowska: “I would like to congratulate you and as well say that the European Union has always supported Liberia on this initiative in this fight for gender equality. We are trying tosupport this and to reinforce the position of women in Liberia politically and through education through programs for highereducation. We work with our un partners on the issues of gender based violence so whatever we do gender gender perspective is in our mind and for that reason this event today is very good. I’m happy to witness this coordination and as well this element of accountability.”
She continues, “I look forward to new engagements. I’m reiterating our commitment to the Minister and also to the chair on gender. We commit to collaborating with you and to ensure that the women’s issues are addressed.”
Meanwhile, the Chair of the House’s Committee on Gender and Bong County District #6 Representative Moima Briggs Mensah recommended the need for coordination before during, and after the CSW. She committed herself to the Gender Ministry’s agenda. The female lawmaker also recommended the need for the Gender Ministry to support women to attend the next CSW.
