Gender Minister Wants Govt Prioritize Gender Responsive Financing, Declares March as Women’s Month

By Lazota Bility

Monrovia-March 4,2024: The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Madam Gbeme Horace-Kollie has echoed calls to the Government of Liberia, Local and International Organizations to prioritize gender-responsive financing by increasing public spending on essential services and social protection for women and girls.

Minister Kollie explained that the world is facing many crises, ranging from political conflicts to soaring poverty levels, and the escalating impacts of climate change amongst others.

According the Minister of Gender, the UN Women Global has warned that if care is not taken, more than 342 million women and girls could be living in extreme poverty by 2030.

“Therefore to Fix these challenges that are intended to hinder the progress of women, everyone must ensure women’s needs and priorities are considered by increasing gender-responsive financing and public spending on essential services and social protection for women”.

She added that although women’s equality has made positive gains, the world is still unequal; therefore, there is still a need to focus and redirect attention to areas that require action such as women’s social, economic, political participation and empowerment.

Madam Kollie also stated, there is a need for a robust and innovative way for gender equality and the empowerment of women to be advanced, particularly in the areas that would provide women and girls with equal access to economic empowerment, as well as involving them in decision-making processes that prevent women from breaking these barriers of financial opportunities.

She continued “ women earn 23% less than men globally, while at the same time, women occupy only 24% of parliamentary seats worldwide . 1 in 3 women have experienced physical/sexual violence asserting that not one country can claim to have achieved gender equality because these multiple obstacle remain unchanged in laws and Cultures.

However, the Minister on Monday 4th March officially launched the International Women’s Day in Liberia.

The Gender Minister adding that the overall objective of the 2024 International Women’s Day is to leverage on the existing investment opportunities for women and girls, and to create suitable environment to enhance women’s access to financial, socio-economic and political inclusion.

“The objective of this year’s International Women’s Day is to leverage on the existing investment opportunities for women and girls, and to create an enabling environment to enhance women’s access to financial, socio-economic and political inclusion into national development and increase women’s economic opportunity by supporting and creating means to help women access internet loans from financial institutions and to be able to control their own incomes”

The occasion will be celebrated under the Theme “Invest in women, Empower Her, Empower All”

On Friday March 8, 2024 Liberia will join the rest of world to Commemorate the 2024 edition of the international women’s day.

The Month of March is set aside historically recognized as Women’s Month, thus promoting activities and advocacies that exclusively focus on women’s agenda and a way forward in tackling women’s issues and how to empower them in the coming years.

The International Women’s Day (IWD) grew out of efforts in the early 20th century to promote women’s rights, Supported by Heads of Government Ministries and Agencies including members of the Donor Community, Diplomatic Corps and CSOs.

Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie concluded that the celebration will commence with a parade which will begin from the SKD Boulevard Junction to the EJS Ministerial complex in Congo Town.

The activity will be followed by a Networking and Health Screening session from 9:30 to 10:30AM in the compound of the Ministerial Complex after which an official Indoor Program would be held in the Theatre of the EJS Ministerial Complex commencing at 11:00am stating that the official colors are Purple,Green and White because these colors Symbolizes Hope , Purity and peace.