20091222
allafrica

Gender and Development Minister, Varbah K. Gayflor has optimistically predicted that the National Gender Policy launched recently will go a long way in bringing about change, not only for women, but the country as a whole, and that the country will greatly prosper when women are brought on board and included in national leadership.

"I know that this policy will bring about great change for Liberia. I know this, because in every county across Liberia, I can already see the changes happening. The determination and drive of the women represented here today cannot be held back," she said.

Addressing the launch of the National Gender Policy in Monrovia last week, she highlighted several issues that necessitated the drafting of the document. According to her, the carving of the document had substantial root in the struggle women endeavored over time to come to national prominence.

"The history and struggles of women from rural Liberia illustrate why this policy had to come. Rural women have been marginalized and excluded from justice, from security, from economic opportunities, from education and from basic services," Minister Gayflor told the hilarious gathering of women including President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf whose ascendancy to the highest office of the land has inspired and brought motivation to Liberian women.

Still motivating and inspiring her colleagues, the minister told them that their determination and strong contributions over the past years illustrate just what this policy will be able to achieve for Liberia's future.

"Women from every county, every district, have stepped up to learn, to teach, to farm, to make business, and to lead. We celebrate these efforts during this four day conference because we know - When women are included, this country will prosper in peace!" she noted.

Minister Gayflor hypnotized the women gathering when she proclaimed that the Gender Policy had been written and adopted by the cabinet: so that all Liberians, whether you are woman or man, boy or girl, have equal opportunities and equal rights, so that all Liberians are given the right to contribute to Liberia's development and to benefit from the great resources of our land.

More than that, she went on saying that policy was intended to create opportunity for any Liberian to "own land, take out a loan, go to court, attend school, and feel safe and secure - no matter where they are from and no matter whether they are woman or man."

She used her address to remind President Sirleaf about a sacred promise she made to the women of Liberia in your inaugural address in 2006 when she took the oath of office.

"You promised the women of Liberia to give them prominence in all affairs of our country. You stated that your Administration 'shall empower Liberian women in all areas of our national life.' Thanks to your vision, your leadership and your support, Madam President, we are pleased to report that the women of Liberia are turning over a new page," Minister Gaylor reflected.

Because of that sacred promise, she informed the president that women were stepping out at the clan, the district and the county levels to lead; to lead their communities; to drive the economy, to bring peace to their communities and education to their children.

"Madam President, I have visited with women around the country during this past year, and I assure you that we are making progress to build a new future for Liberia's women and girls," the outspoken Minister of Gender said.