Gender Ministry, UN Women Sign EU Spotlight Initiative Agreement

The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and UN Women have signed an agreement on the Spotlight Initiatives on consolidating the gains and interventions on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment.

The Spotlight Initiative is a European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN) Program aimed at eliminating all forms of violence against women and girls.

The Initiative brings focused attention to achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment, in line with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

According to a press release issued in Monrovia, on April 3, 2019, the partnership agreement is aimed at the implementation of ending violence against women/girls and the economic empowerment of rural women.

The release stressed that the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Madam Williametta Saydee-Tarr reiterated the Ministry’s commitment to ensure that through efforts and funds provided, beneficiaries at the community levels will be reached and the desired outcomes will be achieved.

Minister Saydee-Tarr expressed her profound gratitude to the UN System – UN Women for their tireless efforts in supporting the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.

The statement mentioned that UN System and UN Women have enhanced synergies and strengthen collaborations with GBV actors to prevent and respond to sexual and Gender Based Violence programs in the country as well as ensure that rural women are empowered to contribute not only to their household, but also to the development of their communities and the larger society.

The release noted that the Gender, Children and Social Protection Minister, on behalf of the Ministry, extended the Government of Liberia’s appreciation to Sweden, UN SGBV Joint Program and the European Union on the EU/UN Spotlight Initiative for their support to ending violence against women and girls and for the economic empowerment of Rural Women of Liberia.

In brief remarks, the UN Women Country Representative, Ms. Marie Goreth Nizigama expressed her thanks and appreciations to the Minister and Team for the immense progress being made relative to combating and mitigating gender-based violence against women and girls and reaffirmed her Institution’s unflinching support to women’s issues in Liberia.