-Pres. Weah discloses at UNGA 78th Session
By: Jerromie S. Walters
Late Wednesday, September 20, 2023, President George Weah addressed the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA), and at said occasion, he informed the body that over the last twelve months, his government has made significant progress in gender equality, increasing gender parity in school enrollment, among others.
“Over the past 12 months, Liberia has made progress in areas, ranging from health to education, gender equality, and infrastructural development. We are proud of our achievements in reducing maternal mortality rates, increasing gender parity in school enrollment, and elevating our overall health and well-being,” President Weah articulated.
According to a UN Women 2022 report, some progress on women’s rights has been achieved. However, work still needs to be done in Liberia to achieve gender equality. 35.9% of women aged 20–24 years old who were married or in a union before age 18.
The adolescent birth rate is 128 per 1,000 women aged 15-19 as of 2018, down from 150.3 per 1,000 in 2015. As of February 2021, only 11% of seats in parliament were held by women. In 2018, 26.9% of women aged 15-49 years reported that they had been subject to physical and/or sexual violence by a current or former intimate partner in the previous 12 months.
Also, women and girls aged 15+ spend 6.7% of their time on unpaid care and domestic work, compared to 2.6% spent by men. Moreover, women of reproductive age (15-49 years) often face barriers with respect to their sexual and reproductive health and rights: despite progress, in 2020, 41% of women had their need for family planning satisfied with modern methods.
As of december 2020, only 41% of indicators needed to monitor the SDGs from a gender perspective were available, with gaps in key areas, in particular: key labour market indicators, such as the gender pay gap and information and communications technology skills.
In addition, many areas – such as gender and poverty, physical and sexual harassment, women’s access to assets (including land), and gender and the environment – lack comparable methodologies for reguar monitoring. Closing these gender data gaps is essential for achieving gender-related SDG commitments in Liberia.
Consistent with his commitment to heightening women’s issues, President Weah noted that his government has made immense efforts in increasing gender parity in school enrollment.
As established by data from the United Nations, the net enrollment rate for primary school in Liberia was 62% for girls and 68% for boys in 2019. Additionally, the gender parity index (GPI) for primary education was 0.91, indicating that there is still a significant gender gap in terms of access to primary education in Liberia. The GPI for secondary education was 0.75, indicating an even wider gender gap at the secondary level.
At the same time, President George Weah informed the global body that as the country approaches its next general elections, his administration has strengthened the National Elections Commission, to ensure that it operates without undue influence.
“The Government of Liberia has taken all necessary measures to ensure a free, fair, transparent, peaceful, inclusive and credible elections. The National Elections Commission has been strengthened to ensure that it operates without undue influence. In addition, political parties have committed themselves to a nonviolent electoral process by signing the 2023 Farmington River Declaration, which obligates all actors in the elections to continue to promote peace.”
He said, “Five years ago, on the occasion of my first address to this august assembly, we informed you of a peaceful democratic transition that had just taken place in Liberia. I am pleased to inform you again that in a few weeks, Liberians will go to the polls, in keeping with the Liberian constitution to vote in our scheduled Presidential and Legislative elections. The October polls will mark the fourth peaceful general elections in Liberia since the end of the civil war in 2003.”
According to him, “This 78th session is taking place at a time when my country is preparing for the first elections since the withdrawal of the UN Peacekeeping presence from Liberia. The October 10 elections is an opportunity to sustain the gains made in our reconstruction and development processes.”
As a strong believer in democracy, he reiterated his call for the respect of constitutional governance and respect for the will of the people. “While addressing the issue of elections and democracy, permit me to congratulate all democratically elected leaders around the world.”
He continues, “With your support, and that of our friends, we have kept the democratic torch burning. We have maintained peace and security. We have protected human rights and the rights of the media to operate peacefully and freely. The Liberian people have enjoyed the full exercise of their constitutional rights. The country is well on course”of consolidating its democratic credentials.”
“We have convened at a time when the world is faced with many challenges; security, social, economic, political and natural disasters. We must exert our collective efforts to confront these challenges, with a view of resolving them in order to have a safer, secured and prosperous future.”
He stressed, “We must continue to promote global solidarity and rebuild trust in accelerating progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The SDGs, by design, require bilateral and multilateral collaborations to achieve the results we seek.”
The theme of this year’s debate, “Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action on The 2030 Agenda and Its SDGs Towards Peace, Prosperity, Progress, and Sustainability For All,” and as articulated by the President, the theme adequately captures the current global demands.
“There is a critical need to ensure that development assistance is aligned with SDG projects. That is why my delegation welcomes, and supports the Secretary-General’s agenda of action to accelerate the implementation of existing agreements; including the Sustainable Development Goals, and to re-embrace global solidarity, and find new ways to work together for the common good of mankind.”
As the world deals with unprecedented global political and security challenges, President Weah said there are growing concerns about the proliferation of non-state armed actors, threats of nuclear escalation and extreme climate conditions. “These challenges continue to serve as obstacles to our quest for a safe and peaceful world.”
“Reaching the 2030 vision is to ensure that the journey is secured through accountability and mutual understanding. Liberia is committed to the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs); they are in line with our Flagship National Development Plan – the Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development, which represents our resolve to achieve peace and prosperity, while addressing the structural impediments to economic growth and national development.”
Conspicuously, he says Liberia appreciates the fact that the august body has once again directed its attention to issues of global health, as demonstrated by the number of high level meetings to keep this critical issue on our collective agenda.
“We emphasize unity of purpose, as we address challenges aimed at providing basic services to all peoples. Considering that more than 60% of Liberia’s population comprises of youths, the future of our nation rests on their shoulders. Understanding this immense responsibility, we are committed to continue paving the way for their growth and development.”
He added, “Being cognizant that structural transformation drives prosperity, we are focused on infrastructural development with roads and energy playing a critical part. Thanks to the support of our many partners, we remain unwavering in our commitment to explore means to further the implementation of the Sustainable Development Goals, as it represents the roadmap towards prosperity.”
With this, he disclosed his support to Secretary-General Antonio Guterres’ proposed SDG stimulus plan, and call for the actualization of the 500 billion dollars per year in order to boost sustainable development for developing countries through tackling the high cost of debt and rising risks of debt distress; scaling-up of affordable long-term financing for development; and expanding contingency financing to countries in need.
“Liberia profoundly appreciates the continued engagement and support from the United Nations System in consolidating its peace, and seeking to address emerging challenges. Liberia will continue to cooperate and collaborate with the United Nations as it continues to rebuild and strengthen its institutions and infrastructure.”
Meanwhile, he said the world is also under threat from natural calamities, as seen with extreme climate conditions globally. “It is therefore our collective responsibility to urgently prioritize addressing the climate crisis as we strive to reach a target of 64 percent reduction in carbon emission. There remains a need to prioritize support to countries, including Liberia that have the capacity to use its biodiversity, in building resilience against the changing climate.”
He believes the United Nations has always been confronted with challenges, and has withstood the test of time. Hence, this too will come to pass. “I wish to thank the Secretary-General for his New Agenda for Peace. Liberia is in solidarity with these bold steps needed to address the triple crises of disruption, biodiversity loss and pollution destroying our planet. Liberia is hopeful that concrete global actions towards the attainment of the goals of the Common Agenda will be achieved.”
President George Weah said Liberia’s journey is best captured in the spirit of unity, resilience, and ambition. Together, through collaboration and shared purpose, we can, and must shape a world that upholds the rights and dignity of every individual.
“In alliance with our United Nations Family, Liberia remains resolute in its commitment: We pledge to protect our planet, promote peace, and prevent conflicts. We vow to ensure sustainable financing, and amplify our partnerships, reflecting our shared determination for a brighter future.”
He added, “We must also accept that this can only be achieved through collaboration between and among Governments, non-government stakeholders and other partners; which will guarantee transparency, accountability, good governance, and the inclusion of all citizens in the decision-making process.”
Moreover, he admonished his fellow colleagues to remind themselves
their collective strength lies in their unity. “Together, we can overcome any challenge, rebuild trust, promote peace, religious tolerance, uphold the tenants of democracy, rule of law, support women participation, encourage diplomacy and strengthen global solidarity.”
President George Manneh Weah is among over 140 world leaders attending the opening of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) 78th Session.
UNGA is an annual event that brings together global leaders for a high-level debate that retrospect and discusses pertinent world issues.
The 78th Session of UNGA is being held under the theme: “Rebuilding Trust and Reigniting Global Solidarity: Accelerating Action on the 2030 Agenda and Its SDGs TowardsPeace, Prosperity, Progress, and Sustainability For All.” President Weah first addressed UNGA in 2018.
