By: Stephen G. Fellajuah
In recognition of efforts to promote women and enhance participation in governance and bridge the gender gap in Liberia and the continent of Africa at large, The Government of China through its Embassy near Monrovia, has donated two mini-bus and at the same time pledged its support to the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development
The official turning over ceremony of the two mini-buses and pledging of commitment was held April 14, 2022 at the Chinese Embassy Oldest Congo Town Back Road were Chinese Amb. to Liberia H.E Ren Yisheng signed and formally dedicate the buses over to the EJS Center Executive Director, Dr. Ophelia Weeks.
The EJS Center was founded in 2018 to be a catalyst for change across Africa by helping unleash its most abundant untapped power—its women and it was officially launched on International Women’s Day, March 8, 2020 with the aim of preparing African women to reach the highest echelons of public leadership. Through a unique blend of programming, advocacy, research, and exhibitions, the Center advances women’s public leadership and social development on the continent.
The Amujae Initiative, the flagship program of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women and Development, prepares and supports African women for the highest levels of public leadership.
The Amujae Initiative has created a unique sisterhood of strong, ambitious, and experienced women leaders. The network they have built has come to be an essential source of support and inspiration. As the network continues to grow over the next year, Amujae Leaders will join the effort to shift the landscape for women in public leadership in Africa and bring other women along.
Amujae Leader participants in the program receive world-class mentorship and training. It is the only initiative in the world that is specifically designed to support talented African
Women leaders through direct coaching from high-level leaders including former heads of state and heads of international organizations, who have forged the path before them. This includes receiving advice and insight from former African women Presidents including Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first woman to be democratically elected as president of an African country.
Making the donation on behalf of the People Republic of China, Chinese Amb to Liberia H.E Ren Yinsheng extoled the EJS Center for the great initiative and empowerment the institution is providing in preparing of women of Liberia and the continent in order to enhance gender equity, mentioning that China remained committed and supportive to the initiative.
The Chinese Ambassador said the time has come for women to be supported and given the rightful training and education they need in order to serve in leadership and added that when women are developed, the country will be developed. The Chinese Embassy is working with the United Nation High Commission on Human Right to host a first ever workshop on the ‘’Right to development’’ in the near future and the EJS Center will be invited to share with the participants their vision, he added.
‘’About some years ago when I came to Liberia as Ambassador to Liberia, I met former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and she told me of an idea of building the capacity of women to prepare them for leadership in governance. I embraced the idea after listening to explain the intent and motive of the institution. The Chinese Government will provide scholarships, training and other learning and other networking opportunities for the EJS Center and will be in partnership also with the China Women Federation which will be in Liberia after consultation.”
The Chinese Ambassador said that women are very creative and sincere while in leadership therefore its time that people do away with the mentality and believe that women are to be in the back because they are people of great potential, adding that China has realized its mistakes and has gradually taken shift in supporting and developing women to public position of trust and influence.
In response while receiving the buses,, EJS Center Executive Director Dr. Ophelia I. Weeks expressed thanks and appreciation to the People Republic of China through its Embassy to Liberia H.E Ren Yisheng for the support and partnership and said that EJS Center is deeply grateful for the gesture.
“And again, on behalf of former President Madam Sirleaf, we want to say thank you so very much and we appreciate your generosity, your friendship and partnership. Together, we will work for gender equity, equal representation between men and women in leadership. I am eager to see the great heights that women will reach and the things they will achieve.
“Women’s representation at the highest levels of leadership – not just in Africa, but around the world, is essential as we seek to confront our collective challenges and build back more inclusive, resilient societies, noting that the women in the Amujae Initiative are unafraid to show their ambition and use their voices to call for change”, she said.
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