Liberia To Host SHERO Conference This Week

-Pres. Weah, Wife & Others To Be Honored

By Esau J. Farr

Like in 2008 when Liberia hosted the International Women Colloquium at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sport Complex in Paynesville, the country is again poised to host another international women event name and styled the SHERO Conference.

The SHERO Conference is an all women conference that brings together women from all spheres of the globe to highlight and discuss issues affecting them and how to raise awareness with their male counterparts.

It is also geared toward bringing men who side with women in highlighting issues women continue to suffer at the hands of their male counterparts.

The disclosure was made by Liberia’s Vice President, Jewel Howard-Taylor when she appeared on the Liberia Broadcasting System which was also relayed on other local radio stations last Friday, October 12, 2018 on the Super Morning Show (SMS).

According to Madam Taylor, the SHERO Conference is expected to take place from October 17-19, 2018 this week and that registration is currently taking place online.

This is the first time Liberia will host the SHERO Conference. Nigeria, Ghana and other African countries have been hosting the women submit.

Some top and famous women leaders of the world expected to be present at the Liberia SHERO Conference include, former Liberian and Malawi Presidents, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and Joyce Banda, former Ghanaian first lady, Nana Rawlings and the first lady of Sierra Leone amongst others.

Speaking further, Madam Taylor expressed concern over what she said is low number of women representations in all sectors and segments of society.

The Liberian Vice President said she was especially concerned about reported reduction in the number of women representations across the globe; something she said must claim the attention of both men and women.

Madam Taylor noted that the reduction is affecting the African Continent and other parts of the world evidenced by results from elections in Africa and representations at parliaments and legislature as well as political appointments by world leaders or presidents.

She recounted the different barriers that continue to hold back the progress of women in taking and playing more lead role both domestically and internationally.

Madam Taylor named some of the barriers as political, economic, culture, religious and family amongst others saying, if they must sustain the representation and integrity of women in global politics and domestic leadership space, frank dialogues must be embraced by all.

She announced to the public that there will be an all men Panel of discussants including former Information Minister, Dr. Lawrence K. Bropleh to encourage their male colleagues to give courtesy and respect that women deserve.

The all men panelists are expected to critique the works of women as to how they perceive women and what should be the attitudes of men toward women.

Meanwhile, President George M. Weah along with first lady, Clar Weah and others is expected to be honored during the conference.

According to Vice President Howard-Taylor, the Liberian leader will be honored for allowing and providing space for women in the public space of Liberia.

She made specific reference to President Weah allowing her (Jewel) to serve as the running mate to Mr. Weah in the highly male contented elections that brought to power the Coalition for Democratic Change (CDC) which she now serves as Vice President.

According to her, it was a very hard and crucial decision for Weah to have selected her to represent the CDC as Vice Standard Bearer amongst other male contenders at the time.