At the launch of the Ministry of Justice’s Gender Policy and Five-Year Action Plan (2024-2029), held at the A’ la Lagoon Conference Hall recently, Hon. Curtis V. Dorley, Deputy Minister for Research, Policy, and Planning at the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, emphasized the importance of setting up Gender and Social Inclusion Units (GSIUs) across all government ministries and agencies.
Addressing the audience during the official launch, Deputy Minister Dorley highlighted the critical role that GSIUs play in advancing gender equality and social inclusion within public institutions. “It was recommended by stakeholders for the establishment of Gender and Social Inclusion Units in all government institutions with internal Gender and Social Inclusion Policies to address gender inequalities in their respective institutions,” he noted.
The Deputy Minister recounted the journey that led to the establishment of GSIUs, recalling the recommendation made during the mid-term review of the National Gender Policy in 2015. He stated that this move was further supported in 2019 by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) in partnership with the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, which facilitated the formation of GSIUs in four key institutions, including the Ministries of Mines and Energy, Public Works, and Gender, as well as the Liberia Electricity Corporation.
Deputy Minister Dorley stressed that GSIUs are now a requirement for all government institutions, as they play a pivotal role in addressing gender disparities and fostering inclusion. He explained that these units are expected to have “a minimum of three (3) staff and a maximum of seven (7) staff or more with appropriate professional backgrounds and expertise in gender-related programs.”
The event marked a significant step toward promoting gender equity and inclusion, particularly within Liberia’s justice system. Dorley reiterated that the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection remains committed to supporting the Ministry of Justice’s efforts to implement gender-responsive policies and ensure the protection of vulnerable groups, including women, children, and marginalized communities.
With the launch of the Ministry of Justice’s Gender Policy and Five-Year Action Plan, the Deputy Minister called for strong collaboration among government agencies, civil society, and development partners to ensure the success of this initiative, as part of Liberia’s broader ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
