Source: AllAfrica
The visiting fifteen members of the United Nations Security Council delegation, co-led by Ambassador Susan Rice of the United States of America and Ambassador Mohammed Loulichki of Morocco, started their day just outside Monrovia, at a United Nations Mission in Liberia (UNMIL) sponsored "Alternative Livelihood Project for Traditional Women". The project hosts three-month vocational training courses which are managed by a Liberian non-governmental organization.

At the center, the women proudly displayed, to the visiting guests, the colourful fabrics they have been taught to process and tailor as part of the project's activities. The sales of the products regularly serve as a means of income generation for those previously involved in harmful practices to young girls and women. Expressing appreciation to the delegation, one of the beneficiaries of the training said, "We are not going back to the traditional act again - we want to pay attention to the new things that we are learning here".

The delegation later met with the leadership of the Liberian security institutions at the National Police Training Academy where special units gave demonstrations of their acquired skills. Since its reopening in July 2004, more than 4,500 police officers, including 670 women, were trained with the support of UNMIL and bilateral partners.

The Minister of Justice, Christiana Tah, expressed her thanks for the support received by the Security and Rule of Law institutions from the International Community. She specifically referred to the regional Justice and Security Hub funded by the UN Peace Building Fund.

The delegation also witnessed an impressive display of martial arts by members of the UNMIL all-female Indian Formed Police Unit at their Headquarters, followed by a briefing with the United Nations leadership in Liberia.

The members of the UN Security Council concluded their visit by discussing national reconciliation and governance issues with representatives of a wide range of key civil society organizations. From Liberia, the delegation will continue to Côte d'Ivoire.

 

• Liberia