Monrovia – Liberia National Rural Women, an umbrella organization for women in rural Liberia has called for more supports to women activities, especially rural women who are engaged in agriculture activities.
Speaking at the weekend in Bensonville, Montserrado County, at programs marking the celebration of the International Rural Women Day, the President of Liberia National Rural Women, Madam Kebbeh Monger underscored the need for support for women to be elevated from workshops to empowerment that will help support the efforts of rural women in the agriculture sector.
Madam Monger noted that through the corroborative efforts of the umbrella organization, women in rural Liberia are making tremendous self-initiatives that are helping their households and the country at large.
She made the disclosure that currently, the Liberia Rural women has a pilot project of 78 acres farm in Lofa, with other projects in different parts of the country.
The LRWN president encouraged women at the celebration not to only depend on workshops, but to engage themselves in gainful agricultural activities that will reap future benefits, adding “There will come a time when partners will not support us”.
Making remarks at the National Rural women Day, the Establishment Coordinator of Angie Brooks International, Cllr. Yvette Chesson said: “We claim that most children of rural women are academically up to the task, but their quest for higher education are most often hindered by a lack of support from their rural parents.
Against this backdrop, Cllr. Chesson disclosed that Angie Brooks International is involved with awarding scholarships for further studies to secondary students who are in division one and two in the National Examination.
Also Speaking, Montserrado County Electoral District #1 Representative Lawrence Morris lamented that the central government will continue to pay less attention to the agriculture sector.
According to Rep. Morris, the allocated budget for the agriculture sector is just a drop in the bucket, as such the sector is not and will not impact the country under the current arrangement.
The Montserrado Lawmaker furthered averred that top officials in the sector are the ones always flying abroad for international conferences, while the rural women who are the main players in the sector are left out.
He said the sector cannot be developed because Liberia is currently faced with misplaced leadership.
Rep. Morris said the government has failed to live up to its budgetary the obligation of 10 percent of the National Budget toward the agriculture sector.
In closing, the President for Rural women, Montserrado County, Korpo Howard commended partners, both local and international, women organizations, for their continued support in helping rural women.
The International Rural women Day which was celebrated under the theme: “Empowering Rural Women to Lead Agriculture for Liberia’s Sustainable Development. It brought together representatives from UN Women Liberia, Action Aid, Angie Brooks International, National Traditional Council, Governor Council, and YMCA amongst others.