LIBERIA: Launches Agenda On Women, HIV Issues

President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has officially launched the Agenda for Acceleratig Country Action on Women, Girls, Gender Equality and HIV, a pilot program which again puts Liberia at the verge of history-making. The Agenda has three objectives which include acknowledging government's continued engagement on AIDS response; advocating for high level commitment on the agenda for accelerating the country's action for women, girls, gender equality and HIV as well as advocating for the protection and wellbeing of children. According to the planners, Liberia is the first country to have launched an operational plan taking into account efforts made by the government to prevent and control HIV and AIDS though such epidemic still remains a high priority on the national agenda.

The program is part of activities marking the official visit of Princess Mathilde of Belgium and UNAIDS' Special representative for Children and AIDS, Michel Sidibe and was organized by UNICEF and UNAIDS as well as UNMIL and the government of Liberia through the Ministry of Gender and Development.

Princess Mathilde admonished the government that her mission to Liberia is to bring the message of hope adding that education is the key to tackling existing problems and resisting those that are to emanate. She said what Liberia does with the agenda will direct other countries since Liberia is being used as the pilot country for the launch of the project while President Sirleaf said it is government's hope that the project will gain more effective responses.

“We do accept the twin challenge by taking into consideration the Princess' suggestion to do more for education and to also make sure that together with the partners we will have more people living with HIV and AIDS to speak out,” President Sirleaf noted. Mr. Sidibe said the launch of the program speaks of a gathering of social justice and also one seeking to reduce disparity and provide information to those who are less fortunate. He admitted that the Agenda is not just the first in Africa but worldwide due to the President's commitment to getting Liberia on par with other nations and putting its citizens in the proper state for better livelihoods.

UNMIL Special Representative to the United Nations Secretary General, Ellen Loj said to turn efforts into real gains much is still needed to be done admitting with confidence that the program will guide against gender in equality. While the Executive Director for the National AIDS Commission, Dr. Ivan Camanor and Gender Minister Varbah Gayflor made remarks giving an overview of the entire program and update on AIDS response in Liberia, Health Minister Walter Gwenigale praised President Sirleaf for not only trying to make education free but for making girls issues a priority in the country.

Princess Mathilde and her delegation also with UNAIDS Executive Director Sidibe visited the S.D.A. Revelation High School in Gardnersville as part of their activities for day one. Today, Princess Mathilde and her delegation are expected to visit Bomi County where the Facts for Life book will be launched and speak with the acting health service administrator Davidson Rogers and team at the government hospital which focuses on PMTCT, ART, Pediatric HIV care, fistula and therapeutic feeding programs.

She will also visit the Cash Transfer Scheme Initiative which focuses on orphans and vulnerable children in Klay; meet the Union of Muslim Association of Bomi County which is actively involved in HIV and AIDS education in awareness in Clay Town. Simultaneously, the Executive Director of UNAIDS Sidibe will be visiting Bong to meet with the county health team to discuss the health systems and get commitment to improve the system.

The delegation departs Liberia on Wednesday. Meanwhile, Princess Mathilde is the daughter of the Count and Countess Patrick d'Udekem d' Acoz. Since 2009, she has been the honorary president of UNICEF Belgium. Since 2009, Mr. Sidibe has been the Executive Director of UNAIDS, the joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS, and Under Secretary General of the UN.