Monrovia – The Minister of Gender, Children and Social protection, Julia Duncan-Cassell, has expressed commitment for the compulsory primary education for teenage girls in the country.
Report by J. H. Webster Clayeh – [email protected]
Speaking at the observance of the 5th International Day of the Girl Child Tuesday, Minister Cassell said empowering girls could create an enabling environment through the implementation of programs and policies.
“Let us make it count today by making commitments to take actions to advancing an integrated movement for the empowerment of girls in Liberia by creating an enabling environment through the implementation of programs and policies to foster girls’ education, compulsory primary education policy for teenage girls,” she said.
The program was held at the Centennial Pavilion in Monrovia. It was held under the theme: “Making it Count: Advancing an Integrated Movement for Girls’ Empowerment”.
Minster Cassell said ensuring the compulsory free education for girls and girls’ empowerment can only be achieved by advocating for policies and laws that protect the girl child.
She noted that having laws that address domestic violence, sexual and gender based violence, and also investing in the quality of education are necessary to empowering women and could lead to job creation for women.
“Let us make it count by holding ourselves accountable to those international instruments and treaties on the rights of women, girls and children to which our country has acceded and be in conformity with them,” Minister Cassell said.
Madam Cassell added, “I am a girl child, I am who I am. Like me, love me, take me, and leave me. Know that I am a true friend to the end and ask for nothing in return except two things, don’t hurt me or don’t use me.”
The guest speaker, Latricia Wamah, referenced many years back when women and girls had no right to education, property in the society, coupled with the wide spread of abuse in her own country.
According to her, women and girls have struggled for value in the world.
“Because of that, our right had been ignored. But let me tell you, we are more than that; we are strong, we are clever, we are creative, we are talented; therefore, we can change the world, we can change our country, our communities, and our families,” she said.
She reminded women that though men may have many advantages, women and men have the same rights.
“Put your selves in our shoes men and boys, how would you feel when you are left alone in your house with all of the works and we are out there learning? How will you feel?” Madam Wamah asked.