The Liberia National Commission on Small Arms Gender Unit receives a boost to enhance the activities of gender in the Commission. The Gender and Security Taskforce in Liberia, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program, donated a consignment of office equipment and accessories to the Gender Unit of LiNCSA.
Madame Maude M. Somah, the Gender Advisor of the Gender and Security Sector National Taskforce said, the focus of the National Taskforce is to ensure support gender units of securitgy institutions and mainstream all gender activities in the Liberian security sector. She spoke during the turning over ceremony. Madame Somah also pointed out that the donation is intended to improve and energize the work of the institution, particularly focusing on gender issues and sensitivity. ‘Improvement of women’s participation in decision-making within national security institutions is the overall concern of the Taskforce’.
In addition, Madam Somah noted that the Liberian security sector must endeavor to address the levels of violence against women and to ensure that their social, economic and political rights, dreams and objectives are fulfilled. Considering the theme ‘Nothing for us without us’, the National Taskforce Advisor asserted that an assessment was conducted to analyze the needs of security institutions in promoting gender sensitivity in the security sectors.
She welcomed LiNCSA’s philosophy of supporting gender inclusiveness and hoped that the items delivered will be used for the right purposes.
In response, LiNCSA Commissioner Benoni Knuckles wholeheartedly embraced the support of the Gender and Security Sector National Taskforce for the donation, describing the move as a great improvement for work of the Gender Unit of LiNCSA. Commissioner Knuckles stressed the importance of the Gender Unit when it comes to controlling, regulating and preventing the proliferation of illicit arms in the country. ‘Women play a pivotal role especially at the grassroot levels in making people aware of the danger of illicit arms’. The Commissioner emphasized the importance of women’s roles in defending the state, especially during times of violent conflict. ‘One key area of priority is to ensure that females are integrated into all of our national armories’. The Commissioner praised the previous leadership under Chairman James M. Fromayan for establishing the gender unit at the Commission.
Partnership with the National Taskforce, Commissioner Knuckles asserted, marks a significant achievement in the history of the Commission. He Said, the Commission is currently reaching out to ECOWAS Radio for partnership to inform the citizens and residents of Liberia about the activities of the Commission.
For his part, LiNCSA Coordinator, Mr. A. Blamo Sieh, welcomed the partnership initiative between the two institutions, noting that the partnership will address many gender issues at the level of the Commission. Mr. Sieh described the partnership as rewarding because LiNCSA has a link with all national security institutions in the country. He praised the LiNCSA’S Gender Focal Person, Miss Blessing W. Bornor for the level of energy she has exhibited to improve the gender unit and promised that the donation will be used to champion the work of gender activities in the Commission.
