BUCHANAN, March 5 (LINA) – Rural women from across the country are meeting in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County to accelerate progress towards economic empowerment through social protection and agriculture.

The conference brings together women organizations with the aim of providing training in leadership and democratic representation, consultation on governance reforms and adoption of a road-map for the economic empowerment.

The meeting is organized by the National Rural Women in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, UN Food and Agriculture Organization, World Food Program and UN Women.

Speaking at the conference, an official of the United Nations, Adama Diop Faye, told participants that women empowerment is crucial in the eradication of poverty from the country.
Faye stressed the need for the government and partners to focus on ensuring that women become potential entrepreneurs, adding: “We can maximize the contributions they make to the national growth and development.”

The UN official lauded the governments of Norway and Sweden for providing funds to mitigate the negative impacts the Ebola virus has had on food security and livelihoods and to support rural women stay in business through their involvement in agriculture.
Faye told the women that the UN will identify and work with rural women organizations at the community level by creating, supporting and strengthening their enterprises.
LINA