The Women Non-Governmental Organization, Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) in collaboration with the Carter Center has launched Campaign on Freedom of Information to advance women’s rights to access information.
Campaign according to the group is intended to identify and support new champions to increase women’s access to information in Liberia.
The campaign will also encourage , support and protect women who wish to request information as well as increase recognition of the right of access to information as a fundamental human right necessary for the exercise of other rights and services.
Speaking at the launching ceremony over the weekend held at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection , Deputy Miniater for Gender, Alice Johnson Howard stressed that Liberian Women should access vital information to transform their condition.
Minister Howard stated that Liberian Women should listen to radio to be informed of things happening in the country .
She noted that some women do not access information from radio but from other sources which are not the relevant authorities.
She added it is crucial for people to access relevant information from the authoritative sources with detail rather than just little bit of it before taking decision on issues in the nation.
Minister Howard asserted that the government is willing to work along with civil society organizations to enhance access of information to public especially to women across Liberia.
Men access more information than women
Meanwhile, the Program Lead for the Rule of Law Program at the Carter Center, Mr. Saah N’Tow said the passage of the Information Act in 2010, Liberian Men were accessing the information and utilizing them more than their female counterparts.
Mr.N’Tow stated that as the result of lack access to information for women, a study was conducted in three countries in West Africa.
He stressed that the Carter Center will help to roll out the implementation of the Freedom of Information Law for Liberian Women to access information from relevant authorities to improve their understanding of issues confronting them and national issues confronting the nation at large.
He maintained that the launch of the Campaign Flyer will encourage more Liberian Women to access information .
Mr. N’Tow emphasied that the Carter Center will continue to support access to information program through the support of the Irish Aid from the Government of Ireland.
For her part, the Board Chair of WONGOSOL, Madam Julia Duncan Cassell said Liberian Women should take advantage of accessing information that could inform their decision making process.
“land right as a women by traditional only the husbands or your fathers can give you land but women can also save money to purchase land for herself” Madam added.
She acknowledged the rich traditional of Liberia, but stated that traditional can be modified to suit the current days reality.
She indicated that information is power and accessing it can transform their prospectives on issues surrounsing life.
Madam Cassell lauded Carter Center and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection for the level of support given Liberian Women to access information in the country.
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