Monrovia – President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has presented safety gears to female motorcyclists, who were trained by the Angie Brooks International Centre (ABIC) for Women’s Empowerment, Leadership Development, International Peace and Security.
Presenting the materials at the ABIC third floor Ministry of Foreign Affairs office on August 15, Sirleaf praised the girls for their courage and bravery in participating in the project, which she described as a contribution to national development. She called on them to ride with care and avoid danger.
Responding on behalf of motorcyclists known as Pink Panthers, Nathaline Saah expressed gratitude to President Sirleaf for taking up the time to present their jackets.
Nathaline, who is their head, said they were highly impressed by the presence of the President and her concern for their safety.
In brief remarks earlier, ABIC establishment Coordinator Cllr. Yvette Chesson-Wureh, in the presence of ABIC board chair, Olubanke King-Akerele, thanked the girls for their patience and noted that the President had graced the occasion because of her interest in them.
The Pink Panthers All Girls Motorcyclist Project is an ABIC initiative intended to economically empower young girls.
The origin of the project dates back to February 2015 when officials of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the ABIC conducted a one day strategic meeting to discuss challenges facing female motorcyclists and how to provide means to address some of these challenges.
During her visit to Liberia on February 15, 2015, UNDP administrator Helen Clarke met with the Pink Panthers and encouraged them to succeed in this male dominated job.
Clark even rode on one of the bikes with a Pink Panther as a sign of support and encouragement.
Late last year, the Pink Panthers and Women Behind Wheels participated in various capacity building trainings in self-defence, bike maintenance, traffic signs, financial management and fundamentals human rights among others organized by ABIC.
With funding from UNDP, 11 motorcycles were purchased and processed including licence plates, driver’s licence and third party insurance.
The project was formally launched in December 2015 by Vice President Joseph N. Boakai in the presence of UNDP Country Director Kamil Kamaludeen and Cllr. Wureh in the Rotunda of the Capitol Building.