Monrovia - A five-day training session supported by UNMIL on Gender and Security Sector Reform started today at the Ministry of Defense headquarters in Monrovia.

It gathered 40 gender coordinators and focal points representing Liberia security sector institutions, government ministries, public agencies and non-state security institutions.

Supported also by the UN Women, this training aims to build the capacity of Liberia security sector institutions to mainstream gender.

“We have talked about the issue of gender for a long time” said Frederick Gbemie, Assistant Minster for Justice. He stressed the importance of those who are involved to clearly understand what it is, so that they can give proper direction on matters of gender.

The participants, who are also members of the Gender and Security Sector taskforce, are expected to spearhead promotion of gender equality within their organizations and advice on how to respond to the needs of women, men, boys and girls in the society.

“Gender is very crucial to the effective work of security sector” said Michael Page, Head of Security Sector Reform Unit at UNMIL. “It is not just about equality, but also how you provide protection, to ensure that the security of men, women, boys and girls are guaranteed and specific needs of each group are addressed as you go about tour professional task”, he said.