'No room for complacency' — Gender Minister tells staff at 2022 first general meeting

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection on Thursday, January 6, 2022 held its first general staff meeting in which Minister Williametta E. Saydee-Tarr cautioned employees that she will maintain a zero tolerance to inefficiency, unproductivity and adherence to all work related ethics governing the Institution in 2022.

Minister Saydee-Tarr used the gathering to further encourage her staff to promote and align all gender related programs or projects within the context of the Ministry's strategic work plan, the Anti-Sexual and Gender Based Violence Roadmap, the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD), the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and other Protocols Liberia has ascribed to as it relates to gender equality and the fight against sexual and gender-based violence.

"We are a Ministry that deal with human beings, and therefore, it is required of us to be proactive and productive in the discharge of our respective roles and responsibilities. Society expects zero margin of error or lackluster attitude from us," the Gender Boss stressed.

According to the Minister, policies, programs, and activities instituted by the Ministry geared towards benefiting women, girls, boys, the elderly and vulnerable people remain unchanged.

On an appreciative note, the Minister lauded her team for the pivotal achievements attained in 2021 but quickly stressed that there will be no room for complacency in 2022. In that direction, Minister Saydee-Tarr underscored the importance of maintaining unity amongst the workforce, adding that in unity success is certain.

In addition, Saydee-Tarr particularly highlighted the tremendous work of two staff of the Ministry. She named Assistant Minister for Children and Social Protection, Hon. Maminah Carr-Gaye, and the Technical Assistant of Gender Department, Mr. Mohammed Odu Massalee as two of the few personnel that topped the list of best performers in 2021. She urged others to emulate the tenacity of the two staff in a way that more is accomplished in 2022.

This is the second time in two consecutive years the two distinguished staff have merited Staff of the Year Award.

In closing, the employees thanked the erudite leadership of Williametta E. Saydee-Tarr for its continued support and vowed to strengthen their vigor in promoting, enhancing and implementing programs and activities that have positive impact on gender mainstreaming and social protection.

It can be recalled, with support from partners, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Liberia once again passed the Gender in the Economy indicator of the Millennium Challenge Corporation Compact from 81st percentile in 2020 to 94th percentile in 2021 with the score of 83.3.

Also in 2021, as part of efforts to ensure gender responsive planning and budgeting, the Ministry with support from partners: UN Women, UNICEF, UNDP, OHCHR and UNFPA developed what is known as the Country Gender Equality Profile, first of its kind in Liberia. It provides an in-depth analysis, that will enhance the understanding of the differences in the conditions, needs, participation rates, access to resources and property rights, development planning and control of assets, decision-making powers between girls, women, boys and men in their assigned gender roles.