Minister Of Health Advocates For Safer Workplaces In Liberia

By Catherine K Conteh

 In a significant effort to improve and enhance a safe working environment, the Minister of Health, Dr. Louise M Kpoto, has underscored the urgent need for safer and more inclusive workplaces in Liberia.

Speaking at the start of a three-day workshop organized by the Ministry of Health (MOH) and the Gender and Social Inclusion Unit (GSIU) in Congo Town on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, Dr. Kpoto emphasized the importance of creating an environment where everyone can work free from gender-based and other forms of abuse.

She highlighted that the Ministry of health is committed to fostering a "safe workplace" that upholds respect, dignity, and equality for all, regardless of gender or background.

"The responsibility to ensure safe work environments doesn't just fall on individuals, but on institutions and leaders," Dr. Kpoto stated.

She urged leaders, administrators, and policymakers to implement robust policies that protect employees from various forms of harassment, including bullying, discrimination, and sexual violence, stressing the need for a culture of accountability, where victims feel supported, and perpetrators are held responsible.

Meanwhile, Dr. Kpoto also pointed out the role of the "online state," referring to the growing presence of online harassment and its impact on individuals and communities, as she called for collective efforts to address these issues.

The Liberian Health Minister emphasized that safety and respect should extend beyond physical workplaces to digital spaces as well.

She expressed optimism about the impact of the workshop, stressing that it marks an important step toward creating safer work environments across Liberia.

"This training is not just about compliance; it is about changing the culture within our workplaces. By choosing to identify, prevent, and respond to harassment and abuse, we contribute to the overall health and well-being of our society,” she remarked.

The Health Minister concluded by urging participants to take the knowledge gained from the workshop back to their respective institutions and communities and encouraged them to speak out against injustice and to work together to create a workplace culture that is free from violence and discrimination.

The workshop, which brought together professionals from various sectors, is expected to set the foundation for ongoing efforts to improve workplace safety and equality in Liberia.

It aims to equip participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to combat workplace violence, discrimination, and harassment.

In 2020, the Government of Liberia in collaboration with UN partners launched the Gender Responsive Planning and Budgeting (GRPB) program. This initiative set up Gender Focal Points across key government institutions, with the Ministry of Health being the pilot entity.

The GRPB aims to mainstream gender in all government policies, programs and budgets.

In 2021, these Gender Focal Points evolved in coordination with the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), bearing the unique name Gender and Social Inclusion Unit (GSIU) with specific terms of reference contextualized to each entity.