Press Release
First Lady Clar M. Weah says she will represent Liberia the best way possible at all times. Mrs. Weah said her commitment was based on the warm reception and support Liberians at home and abroad continue to accord her. “Whatever I have to do and wherever I have to go to represent the women and people of Liberia, it will be done,” said Ambassador Weah.
Mrs. Weah was speaking Thursday during a reception in her honor at the Liberian Embassy in New York, the United States of America, shortly after touching down at the John F. Kennedy International Airport. The First Lady emphasized that there was nowhere too far or too close that she would not be able to go in the interest of Liberia but asked for continue prayers upon her and President George Manneh Weah.
Quoting the famous biblical saying that ‘God does not give you more than you can handle, Mrs. Weah said she believes God has given her the responsibilities (as First Lady) because she is capable of handling it. “I want to empower the women of Liberia, especially the program for the women in the rural area. I want to take on whatever the challenges are…,” First Lady Weah told a host of Liberians. She however reiterated that she could not do all, asking for the support of Liberians.
The Liberian First Lady, along with Gender Minister Williametta Saydee-Tarr, is leading the Liberia delegation to the Sixty-Second (62nd) Session of the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). The Sixty-Second session of the Commission on the Status of Women is taking place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. It runs from March 12 to 23 2018.
On Monday, March 19, the First Lady is expected to address an event on the sidelines of the session to make the case for sustaining women empowerment programs in Liberia. Ahead of her address, First Lady Weah promised to ‘raise her voice as high as possible’ to attract funding to Liberia.
Speaking earlier, Liberia’s ambassador to the United Nations, Lewis Brown, congratulated the First Lady and President George Weah upon his ascendency to the Liberian presidency. Ambassador Brown described the First Lady’s visit as crucial for expressing Liberia’s gratitude and determination in moving forward.
“Your visit to New York on the margins of the CSW will say, to not just the UN but also the larger international community, how grateful we are for their support and their assistance,” said Ambassador Brown. He continued: “…but at the same time how determined we are.
The Liberian envoy to the UN said Liberia cannot afford going back, stressing that the role of the current government is to continue to move forward and show the world that Liberia is a better place. “There is a renewed confidence that you can help our President bear this weight of moving our country forward; not alone but with all Liberians who are determined to work for the best.
The reception, organized by Liberia’s Ambassador to the United Nations along with the Liberian Embassy in New York, attracted many Liberians to give the Liberian First Lady a rousing welcome. The Liberia delegation to the 62nd Session of UN CSW includes representatives from prominent women organizations, the women legislative caucus, among others.
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global inter-governmental body exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. As a functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), it was established by Council Resolution 11(II) of 21 June 1946.
During the Commission’s annual two-week session, representatives of UN Member States, civil society organizations and UN entities gather at the UN headquarters in New York.
The discussions will progress and gaps in the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, the key global policy document on gender equality, and the 23rd special session of the General Assembly held in 2000 (Beijing), as well as emerging issues that affect gender equality and the empowerment of women.
