Young Women Empowerment Series Launched
By: Laymah Kollie
Congo Town-Monrovia-March 23,2023: A safe space intended to advance young WOMEN’s empowerment and inspire innovation has been launched in Monrovia.
Chief Convener, Feminist and Women Rights Activist Humpheretta Reid birthed the idea of the Young Women Empowerment Series to feature and recognize achievements of young women and girls from across Liberia to inspire other young women to positively stand out and well as mentoring young women and girls into strong women leaders.
Additionally, the series projects conversations with influencers, bloggers and journalists on the impact of Social Media and Human Rights.
Chief Convener Humpheretta Reid on March 22, 2023 at a local hotel in Monrovia, admonished sisters in the room to learn from stories that will be shared to advance to another level professionally. “The young women empowerment series is meant for young women to come together, discuss issues and get inspired. This is a safe space for women to stand up, craft ideas and do more. Let us make us of the space and change the narratives. This is a collective effort process, Collaboration is vital in ensuring that we have equal opportunity ( Gender Equality). We must prioritize empowering and supporting ourselves”.
Launching the series, Liberia Football Association First Female Vice President Jodie Reid Seeton challenged the young women to break barriers to advance and ensure equality.
Jodie noted that women empowerment is critical for National growth; as such; young women should pay keen attention to exerting efforts in education to impact society.
The launch of the series followed a panel discussion of experience sharing. Gender Activist Norwu Kolu Harris, Miss Liberia1st RunnerUP Tina Nyunkor, and Rosetta Mensah Vice President for Operation at the Liberia’s Female Amputee Club shared the platform.
They equally acknowledged life’s challenges but emphasized perseverance through their journeys up to present. They encouraged young women at the series to use available opportunities to excel to the next level.
“Growing up , my parents wanted me to become a medical doctor because I was good at chemistry, I also wanted to do that too; but after graduation the school was not offering entrance at that moment and I being one person that started advocacy since age 12, I decided to check AME and do their law courses in the main time. Later, I got used to it and started doing more advocacy for justice and today I’m the youth program coordinator at Actionaid Liberia,” Norwu Kolu Harms said.
“I was not born with one limp, this happened to me in 2018 when I was involved in an accident. My family abandoned me, my husband left me , my feet got rotten because I never had money to do bone surgery at the particular time. I felt frustrated, I cried and the only option I had left was to be amputated. Today, I am the vice president of the Female Amputee Team, I’m happy and grateful to God for life. No matter what happened to you in life never give up, embrace your current status and be happy,” Rosetta Mensah.
“Going to Miss Liberia Beauty Pageant in 2017 was not something easy for me because it was my first time to partake in such activity. I never had any trainer or mentor to schooled me for that process, my parents, siblings also doubted my ability to reach any far but I had my mind set and I was willing to go for it. At some point in time I was afraid especially when I saw other contestants but I motivated myself and focus. I came first runner up for Miss Liberia, Secondly I contested Miss Africa and I also turned up as first runner up. I want you to know it is not difficult to do anything if you believe in yourself, try your best always,” Tina Nyunkor noted.
The series evening climaxed with games and networking among 25 young women as part of the launch.
The newly launched women Empowerment Series is being sponsored by WOMEN’s TV-Liberia, and Women Voices Newspaper among others.
