“LifeSkill Training Key to Nation Building”

Liberia Foreign Minister MarjonKamara has named LifeSkill training as one of the key elements in propelling women and girls to play their effective roles in nation building.

Madam Kamara, speaking recently at the launch of the Girls Ebola Recovery Livelihood Support Project at the Gender Ministry further stated that investing in adolescent vocational skill is also vital for the nation building, adding that it enhances the productive capacities of girls and young women and boost their self-esteem.

“Economic empowerment and education of the girl child has been proven to be one of the most impactful strategies for poverty alleviation,” she said, adding that it gives women and girls the prospect for a gainful employment and courage to resist injustices from their male counterparts.

The Girls Ebola Recovery Livelihood Support Project is aimed at creating a platform that will promote, and empower women and girls affected by the deadly Ebola virus in 2014.

According to Minister Kamara prior to the Ebola outbreak here, the Demographic and Health survey conducted in 2013 show a precarious situation of Liberian children as 56% of those under 18 were found not to be living with both parents.

She recounted that the survey further revealed substantial gap between males and females in terms of educational attainment- about 47% of women had never attended school compared to 33% of their male counterpart.

“We expect this GERLS Project to empower the girls and young women selected from Grand Bassa, Margibi, and Montserrado Counties in a manner which gives them greater access to social and economic opportunities,” she said.

Minister Kamara said there are high expectation that the income support and training being offered to the girls and young women will transform their lives for the better and that in turn they will become agents of change and drivers of transformation within their families, communities, and ultimately the society at large.

She added that the full utilization of all of the potential of women is critical to national development. The minister, however, was quick to add that the challenge of empowerment for transformation must therefore be addressed forthrightly with today’s girls and young women, stressing that the project presents an opportunity for stakeholders to continue the process of shaping and equipping the next generation of Liberian leaders.

By Lewis S. Teh-Edited by Othello B. Garblah