According to a United Nations’ official based in the Republic of Liberia, Christine N. Umutoni, the years of uninterrupted peace in the West Africa nation, signifies the country’s readiness to achieve developmental progress.
Christine revealed that, Liberia has transformed from being one of the most dangerous nations in West Africa and Africa as a whole, to one of the most peaceful nations in the region, as a result of stability in the country.
Marking 20 years of peace after the signing of the peace accord that brought to end the horrific civil war, that claimed hundreds of thousands of lives, the UN Resident Coordinator in the country concluded that, citizens in the country have contributed most to the current nature of harmony in the country.
According to the UN Resident Coordinator, the socioeconomic stature of Liberia has seen a significant improvement in recent times. She continued that, Liberians depicted a phenomenal endurance in conquering the horrendous effects of the Covid-19 global pandemic.
However, Ms. Christine argued that, though the country has made strides in recent years, there are other works needed to be done before the hard earned peace of the country can completely reap from its economic and social progress.
Also, she described how the Russia-Ukraine war has had an enormous effect on the economic outlook of the country. Christine revealed that, the UN team in Liberia together with their partners are making various efforts to assist the government.
According to the UN Coordinator, in this era of technology, data forms the basics in an efficient economic growth, and also very instrumental in decision making. She revealed that, her team contributed to the country’s national census exercise in late 2022.
She maintained that, data contains crucial information about the most underserved populations and the policies they lack behind, like limited access to high-quality healthcare and education.
Additionally, she stated that, effective development policy must originate from the bottom up, if it’s aimed at addressing issues like poverty, youth unemployment, and increasing rural agriculture. She added that, their initiatives have been created and carried out in a way that promotes community empowerment and local control.
With a 79% youth population, Christine revealed that, her team has implemented the “Youth Rising,” and “Youth At Risk” initiatives to tackle unemployment and vulnerability.
The initiative aimed at equipping the younger people with skills, hands-on education and employment opportunities in the industrial sector.
With the support of training, local rural economies have seen growth, social cohesiveness has been strengthened, and there has been less willingness for young people to go to the city, where it can be hard to find job.
According to Christine N. Umutoni, the Liberian government must increase its investment in empowering the youth, which will increase prospect for legitimate employment.
She also added that, her team has been collaborating with the government to review the education system of the country.
The Fight Again Women And Gender Inequality
Furthermore, Christine N. Umutoni discussed the issue of gender inequalities and women’s right violations. She stated that, “in my area of the country, there are some existence of gender inequalities and human right violation.”
According to a 2020 data, 49% of women between the ages of 15 and 49, who have been in relationships at some point in their lives, experienced physical or sexual abuse from an intimate partner.
Information gathered by UN-Women aided in bringing to light issues of such abuses to the national level, given a clear picture of how serious the issues are.
Through a UN supported program, the government of Liberia penned a three-year agreement with traditional leaders to suspend the activities of female genital mutilation.
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