IPNEWS: Gender Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie, a key member of Liberia’s delegation at the ongoing Spring Meeting currently taking place in Washington D.C, has made inroads in rallying stakeholders’ support for Government’s social inclusion agenda.
In continuation of her participation at the 2024 edition of the Spring Meeting, Mrs. Horace-Kollie held discussion with the World Bank’s Global Manager on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Madam Monica Oldham and Madam Charlotte McClain-Nhlapo, the World Bank’s Global Lead on Disability and Inclusion.
During the meeting, the Gender Minister highlighted her Government’s vision for Diversity and Inclusion which focused on fostering social protection issues for people living with Albinism, Disability, Down Syndrome and other vices that keep marginalizing specific segments of the Liberian population.
As a passionate social inclusion champion, and a voice for respecting diversity, Madam Horace-Kollie made an impressive deliberation on the need for a full analysis of the issue affecting social inclusion with a pragmatic approach to having a complete data, which will unveil the actual extent of the problem. She further highlighted the need for increased awareness and financial support for programs being lined up by her Ministry in lifting the barriers and those conditions that affect people living with disability, albinism and other socially-marginalized groups.
Minister Horace-Kollie furthered stressed the necessity for the bank’s continued engagement with Liberia’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social protection.
In response, members of the World Bank’s delegation promised to align some aspects of their Liberian’s portfolio to the issues of social inclusion and diversity in Liberia. They were encouraged by the engagement with the minister and have specifically asked for an immediate investment into data and other analytics on social inclusion so as to inform the course and extent of their support.
The World Bank expressed renewed commitment to partnering with the Ministry in providing social safety net and livelihood coverage, Women and girls empowerment, Social Inclusion and Diversity.
Meanwhile, Madam Minister yesterday joined other members of the Liberian Delegation at a Liberian Diaspora Forum to discuss Trade and Investment. It was an event jointly organized by the World Bank, Liberia’s Ministry of Commerce, and the Liberian Diaspora Index.
The Spring Meeting continues today with more bilateral engagements by the Gender Boss.
