Statement by Mr. NAMAZU Hiroyuki, Ambassador for Political Affairs, Permanent Mission of Japan to the United Nations, The Peacebuilding Commission (PBC) Liberia Configuration Ambassadorial-Level meeting
2021/3/9
(Check against delivery)
I thank Ambassador Eneström for convening this meeting. I also thank H.E. Mr. Kemayah, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Liberia, H.E. Ms. Saydee-Tarr, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection and all the briefers for their remarks.Liberia has been a country of hope for women’s participation, as exemplified by two Nobel Peace Laureates, the former president Madame Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and Madame Leymah Gbowee. We hope that, going forward, Liberia overcomes the remaining challenges preventing women from maximizing their potential.
The question is, what can we, the international community, do to support women in Liberia? We believe that the key is looking at obstacles facing women through a human security lens. In this regard, political participation, socio-economic empowerment and protection from violence are three crucial areas, which are interlinked and mutually reinforcing.
Firstly, political participation. Women’s representation in the national legislature is still limited and only a small number of female candidates ran in the recent elections. Women’s political participation must not go backward; the only way is forward. The international community should stand with the Liberian people and support their aspirations by closely following the situation on the ground.
My next point is the need for the socio-economic empowerment of women in all sectors at all levels. By reducing their vulnerability and building capacity to support their own livelihoods, women’s impacts on society will be amplified. As the COVID-19 pandemic has disproportionately affected women, the efforts of the government and support of the international community empowerment should be scaled up to this end.
Lastly, protection. The situation of prevailing sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is worrisome. Another serious concern is intimidation and violence against female political candidates. It is critical to ensure that women are able to live free from fear or intimidation and build an enabling environment for their participation. We commend that the Liberian government is scaling up its efforts to protect women. We call on the international community to rally around the Liberian government and local stakeholders, including civil society organizations, and support their efforts.
My country supports the protection and empowerment of women in Liberia. Japan recently decided to support, in collaboration with UNICEF, the strengthening of health services in Liberia to provide necessary healthcare for the population, especially women and girls. In addition, Japan has decided to provide support, in collaboration with FAO, the empowerment of women in the fishing industry, which was severely affected by the pandemic, including through capacity-building to help them generate income and ensure food security.
Let me conclude by expressing Japan’s commitment, as Liberia’s partner and friend, to continuously supporting its endeavors in gender-sensitive peacebuilding.
I thank you, Chair.