President of Liberia, Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf is hopeful that the erection of a statue in her honor in Imo State will inspire young girls and women in the continent to reach their potentials.
She made the remark while delivering a lecture on the topic “Women in Politics” at the International Convention Centre Owerri adding that as a continent Africa has some good reasons to celebrate.
The statue was unveiled after the lecture.
“We can achieve our dreams. We can stand tall among the many women of the world in providing the kind of exemplary leadership that will lift us up to stand, as I stand to represent women,” Sirleaf said.
While unveiling the statue, Governor Rochas Okorocha said Sirleaf has done Africa in particular proud and the world at large, stressing that the Liberian President deserves every honor because she has remained a woman of inspiration.
Sirleaf said her election as the first woman to be democratically elected President in the African continent was a strong signal to all the women and girls in Africa.
According to her, it also signaled a new dawn with the prospect of leveling the playing field between men and women in politics in Africa.
The Liberian President was in Owerri for a 2-day visit on the invitation of Rochas Foundation College of Africa.
“Women in Africa are still behind in Politics due to social, cultural, economic and political constraints that limit their political participation. And the women in Africa have to do much more to get the equality that we all seek.”
“Quality education changes the attitude and mindset of people. And equality means better performance, and also means a better life for everyone. Hence, we need to put more emphasis on education to enhance performance. And that is why what the Imo governor, Rochas Okorocha is doing with his foundation should be encouraged.”
“In our political parties, we need to put more emphasis on recruiting female candidates including in and outside politics. Our governments need to do more to put females in up and down the hierarchy. We need to ensure that we as women take the advantages that we have and develop a strategy to deal with the disadvantages we face.”
