Oxfam on women empowerment

Madam Winnifred Byanyma and other distinguished guests address the media The Executive Director of Oxfam, Winnifred Byanyma, said the charity has sparked a new partnership as a combined force with UN Women and the Government of Liberia for women empowerment to make a difference for women after the Ebola Virus. She said the partnership means a great deal to Oxfam.

Madam Byanyma said during the Ebola outbreak in the subregion, women were mostly affected, and they continue to be the most affected by the aftermath, so Oxfam is working with women to reverse this trend.
According to her, women of Liberia shouldn’t only be able to rebuild their livelihoods, but have the power to build better more viable and more sustainable livelihoods. Tuesday in a press conference at UNMIL headquarters in Monrovia, Madam Byanyma noted that the vision of Oxfam is firstly supporting women entrepreneurship, because doing so does not only support more viable economies, but also unlock massive potential for women empowerment in social and political spheres.

She said Oxfam is also committed to addressing the challenges of water, sanitation and hygiene in Liberia, adding that around 3,000 Liberians, including 1,800 children under five die of diarrhea with nearly 90 percent of this directly attributed to poor wash.

Also speaking during the press conference, Under Secretary-General and Executive Director of UN Women, Ms. Phumzile Mlambo- Ngcuka said she spent the past five days in Liberia, hearing from women and girls, especially and from men and boys about what action are needed to make gender equality, women empowerment and women rights a reality for everyone.

She said the increasing levels of violence against women and girls are unacceptable and must be addressed, and commended initiative under the leadership of President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, while calling on the Government of Liberia with support from partners for increased investment in addressing issues that continue to prevent women and girls from accessing their basic rights.

 By Bridgett Milton-Edited by Jonathan Browne