Monrovia – Mrs. Piso Saydee Tarr has taken over the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection as that entity’s new Minister with a pledge to continuously protect women against sexual gender-based violence and promote women participation in national decision making.
Report by Henry Karmo – [email protected]
She took over Monday, February 26, at a former turning over ceremony held at the Ministry in Monrovia. She replaces Julia Duncan Cassell.
Minister Tarr took over after being confirmed by the Liberian Senate.
Making remarks, she promised to first understand how things are done at the Ministry.
She insisted that her administration will fight for the protection of women against sexual and gender-based violence. The new Gender Minister also stated that she will strive for the promotion of women’s participation in national decision making.
“I have always been an advocate for fighting against violence against women.”
“We are going to be working with the security agencies and the Justice Ministry. We will be advocating that people, who are accused of SGBV are passed through the Justice system as quickly as possible and if they are found guilty they can face the full weight of the law and if not they can be free but victims needs to be satisfied that government is paying attention to their plight and making sure that these crimes are not perpetrated against them.”
Minister Tarr also promised to work with partners and the traditional leaders on the handling of female genital mutilation (FGM).
“We will be working with our traditional leaders to begin a conversation on FGM and see what we can do. We will always be in touch with our traditional leaders and will work to ensure that everyone is protected under the gender law.”
The outgoing former Minister, Madam Cassell thanked former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf for the opportunity that allowed her to serve her country and thanked all of those she worked with over the years.
Prior to her appointments, Mrs. Tarr worked as the Deputy Campaign Manager for Media & Communications, for the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) during the 2017 Presidential and Legislative Elections.