She noted that access to such factors will serve as an impetus for women to become financially independent, leading to high productivity.

The Liberian leader made the presentation at the High Level Discussion held in Johannesburg, South Africa on June 14 on the 25th Ordinary African Union Summit Theme: “Years Of Women’s Empowerment And Development Towards Africa Development Agenda 2063”.

According to her, in Liberia and throughout Africa, women are major players in the agriculture sector, providing 80 percent of the labor force and 76 percent of cash crop production.

She said women are involved in 93 percent of food crop production and conduct 85 percent of all marketing and trading, linking both rural and urban markets through their networks.

“Women’s access to land, finance, technology, information and markets provide the basis for value addition,” she noted.

President Sirleaf asserted that while it is true that the situation of women varies by country and region, there are common denominators or factors which propel or impede the path towards women’s full attainment of empowerment and development in Africa.

She observed that “this year is historic because it represents 20 years since the women of the world gathered in Beijing to reflect upon their role and potential in society, to chart a new course for equality, equity and equal representation and participation in society”.

She also recalled that just November of last year, African Ministers of Gender and Women’s Affairs adopted the Addis Declaration on Accelerating the Implementation of the Beijing Platform for Action.

This platform emphasizes a call to action for member states to achieve gender equality and women’s empowerment as stipulated in the African Union’s Agenda 2063.
LINA GDJ/PTK