The 63rd Armed Forces Day Orator, Madam Mary T. Broh recommends that everything must be done to increase the number of women in leadership role in Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL), suggesting that women are indeed capable of not only serving the military, but also leading the military.
The head of Liberia’s General Services Agency (GSA) indicated Tuesday, 11 February during observance of this year’s Armed Forces Day celebration that this is 21st century and women are seen serving in almost every way imaginable, including in combat, piloting, and in commercial sectors including plumbing, masonry, and carpentry, among others.
To further ensure that more women are encouraged for leadership in the military, Madam Broh recommends that the reserved officers training course (ROTC) program be revisited, stressing that now is the time to ensure that the broken society is mended and make the nation a better place for the children.
She calls on all women of Liberia to volunteer their services to every sector of the nation including in the communities, hospitals, schools and other areas that are in need of women’s support.
Following her speech, President George Manneh Weah says Madam Broh’s in-depth understanding and commitment to women and gender issues made her best – suited to server as this year’s Guest Speaker, given the theme of Armed Forces Day celebration.
According to President Weah, the theme for this year’s celebration, “Strategies to Incorporate More Females in the Security Sector; AFL in Perspective,” coincides with government’s Pro-Poor Agenda with regards to women empowerment.He adds that female representation in both public and private sectors of the country is very low and the AFL is no exception.
“Indeed, this is reflective of the global situation, where women representation in government and the private sector is also low, with but a very few exceptions,” he continues.
However President Weah says his government is set on an irreversible path to break the glass ceiling, noting that he has made appointments of women in leadership in government than ever before, including the appointment of the first female Deputy Chief of Staff of the AFL with a promise to do more in coming years.
For his part, Deputy Defense Minister for Administration Mr. Olandrus Dixon says as they enter their third year of leadership, it is hoped that with the necessary budgetary allocation, they can begin recruiting, vetting and expanding training activities to include the modules that focus on [preparation] of personnel of the AFL for future tasks.
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Through continuous engagement, he says they continue to build the readiness of the military, and strengthen bilateral relations with partners to ensure that the welfare of the AFL remains a priority.
Minister Dixon reports that joint border patrol operation continues with sisterly nations in the Mano River basin, an effort he says has further improved regional ties and bilateral relations with Liberia’s neighbors.By Winston W. Parley
