The Office of the Gender Advisor (OGA) recently organized the first of three regional training workshops to promote gender perspectives in the work of the UN Mission in Liberia.

About 40 staff members from five counties in southeastern Liberia -- Sinoe, Maryland, River Gee, Grand Kru and Grand Gedeh -- attended the training in Zwedru, Grand Gedeh County. The workshop was also attended by officials from the County administration and NGOs advocating gender equality.

Lead facilitator Peter Mokwe, a Gender Officer, told UNMIL Today that UN peacekeepers must understand their responsibility to promote gender equality, and to mainstream this aspect in their operations.

He insisted that gender situation analyses be based on women, men, boys and girls and not just on women. Mokwe said results or outcome should overcome societal barriers for women and correct inequitable situations between the sexes.

The training focused on developing gender responsive work plans, gender analysis, and gender advocacy strategy, amongst others.

Mokwe said the training will be extended to all UN field offices in Liberia.

Among the beneficiaries from the civil society was Betty Breeze Doh of the Women’s and Children’s Development Secretariat (WOCDES), an NGO based in Zwedru. Welcoming the initiative, Doh urged women to be more involved and proactive in the conduct of public affairs.

“While women, men and boys and girls can be victims of gender-based violence, women and girls are the main victims,” note the UN Declaration on the Elimination of Violence against Women, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW).