UN Envoy To Liberia Praises The Role Of Women At All Levels Of Government
New York, Oct 2 2006 1:00PM
Speaking at a high-level forum in Liberia, which is run by Africa’s only female president, the top United Nations envoy
to the country praised the role of women at all levels of Government, saying they bring a “different perspective” to
development and stressing the benefits of their involvement, particularly in the health and education sectors.
“Experience has shown that at all levels of Governance women do and can make a difference in raising awareness and in
bringing a different perspective to a nation’s development agenda,” Alan Doss, Secretary-General Kofi Annan’s Special
Representative, told a gathering of female politicians, legislators and other officials.
“Experiences in other countries show that it makes economic, social and political sense to put the power of choice in
the hands of poor women. Only then can we get significant and quick advances in improving health and education.”
Congratulating all the women who were elected during Liberia’s elections last year, or appointed to positions of
leadership, Mr. Doss also called on development partners to place women at the centre-stage in rebuilding the country
after years of conflict.
The Women in Governance Forum was organized by the Ministry of Gender and Development, in close collaboration with the
United Nations Development Fund for Women (UNIFEM).
Ends