Monrovia – Seated with smiles on their faces, smartly dressed in their uniforms, 45 Police female officers received their scholarship fund to study at any university in Liberia.
Report by Bettie K. Johnson-Mbayo/[email protected]
The scholarship fund is the result of collaboration between the United States, International Development Law Organization (IDLO) and the Liberia National Police (LNP), which is aimed at improving the rule of law worldwide.
Funding is an issue with the LNP, with only 15.9 million allotted in the current 2016/2017 national budget. Nearly the entire Police budget—89 percent (US$14 million)—goes for personnel salaries alone, Coleman added.
Only US$1.7 million goes for goods and services (uniform, logistics and repairs, for instance), while only US$500 and US$200 are allotted to the purchase of medical items and toiletries, respectively. The least to mention is funding
“Our interventions in Liberia are designed to support Liberian government and civil society efforts to improve access to justice for survivors of SGBV,” said Teresa Mugadza, a representative of IDLO.
“Providing professional development opportunities for female Police officers and those other individuals working on the response to [Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in Liberia] is an important part of this work.”
She said that professional development for officers, in particular women officers, was in response to the under representation of women in the Liberia National Police, in particular, and the low representation of women in many professional careers.
“This under representation of women in professional life is a result of long standing gender disparities between women and men that often see men getting better opportunities in life as a result of better access to education and other privileges,” she said.
“It is against this background, that the Professional Development Fund was designed.”
Madam Mugadza: “Today, we are here to launch the Professional Development Fund class of 16/17.
The distinguished beneficiaries here are our inaugural alumni. You have become more than just beneficiaries of the LNP Professional Development Fund.
Today you are becoming the alumni of a very important process, you becoming role models for fellow women officer, role models for young girls who see you in your uniforms and still pursuing further education, and most importantly you are becoming representatives of excellence within the LNP.
She furthered that The Professional Development Fund is a result of extensive consultation between IDLO, the United States Government and the leadership of the LNP.
“It is a recognition that in order for women officers to excel and rise within the ranks of the LNP, there needs to be deliberate efforts to encourage and support their professional development through enhancing access to educational opportunities as well as in service capacity development.”
She said the Professional Development Fund was launched in July 2016, after which applications were solicited from women in the LNP.
The impressive response to the call for applications confirmed that indeed women officers are aware of the need to enhance both their academic and professional capacities in order to excel within the ranks, as well as to advance their careers as individuals.
“IDLO will provide you with monthly platforms so that you may share experiences and encourage each other. If you need help, or guidance, we will try to offer it.
The platforms will also be opportunities for you to hear useful presentations that will help you in your career and to gain other skills that are necessary in your work as Police officers, which you may not find through formal learning.
Therefore, IDLO is committing to providing you a platform for mentoring, both amongst yourselves and where appropriate by IDLO.”
Speaking earlier, Assistant Director for Administration Sadatu Reeves urged female officers be transparent and accountable to the funding given them.
“We need to do our outmost best because these are taxpayers’ money and we can’t play with it,” Reeves told the 42 present recipients of the 45 beneficiaries.
For his part Police Director Gregory Coleman said the program is the first official since its ascendency to the post.
He disclosed that there was hope for improvement adding that the opportunity has not been given to women.
“I know you women can do it because my support solely depends on women.”
Said Col. Coleman: “This is a dawning of a merit system you must justify your being here as Police Officers, it is our hope that this program will show the light for female.”
He added that, the LNP supported Resolution 18.25 which calls for women forming part of security in countries.
The Police boss furthered said that there have been many complaints on sexual harassment something he said will not be supported.
“If you feel hurt say it because we can’t be protecting the state and leave out our workers especially females, also if you are harassed by anyone we need to be told because from now on women will be given priority.”
Col. Coleman said mechanism will be put in place to protect women as they are seen as pillars of security.
He urged them to familiarize themselves with the code of conduct, adding that they would have to work for the Institution as per required by the scholarship.
Roselyn Nagbe, beneficiary of the scholarship said that the offer was timely because it would help promote the lasting dreams of female officers.
“It’s an opportunity for female officers to be a part of it, there have been some of us who have been overlooked and we are prepared to disprove.”
Also Evelyn Barco: “I’m feeling glad because it will help promote us and it will help us stand as women so we are very happy for the scholarship.”