EmPOWER Her

Empowering women is key to building the future that we all want to see

The struggle to affirm women’s identities while at the same time doing all they can to transform societal, cultural or traditional notions or perceptions of their gender role has been at the crux of the feminist revolution worldwide. Well, there are visible signs of immense progress being made in this light. However, empowering women to stand up for their own rights has remained a challenge in most African societies.

But this question arises: How much has been achieved in facilitating increased women’s access to legal, social and economic justice? Numerous issues still exist in these aspects of life, despite many successes achieved in empowering women. For instance, as we all know, considering their continuing commitment to hard work in the area of agriculture, one may safely conclude that women often work more than men. Yet, they are less paid.

Liberia: A Rich Nation With HUNGRY People

An partial view of West Point in Monrovia

Liberia turned 166 on July 26, 2013. This transition reminded Liberians that this oldest republic on the African continent had for 166 years, remained a low-income country, in spite of being so rich with natural resources including iron ore, gold, diamonds, natural rubber, vast forests for logging and timber harvesting, and abundant agriculture land for tilling.

And yet, throughout these 166 years, the most popular description of Liberia has been “one of the poorest and underdeveloped countries of the world.” Of course, Liberia will continue to be described this way because the pockets of the economic, political and social heavyweights continue to get deeper and deeper, while the poor are left to live and die in abject poverty, they say.

Doe’s Dream Mansion Lies in Ruins

Many of Africa's leaders have continued to use their countries' meager resources to build some outrageous buildings that very much suited their egos.  For instance, Felix Houphouet-Boigny of Ivory Coast in the 80s used at least $300 million to construct Basilique de Notre Dame de la Paix in his hometown, Yamoussokro. 

Though it is modeled on the Basilica of St. Peter in Rome, it is much larger, making it the biggest church in the world. As pictured below, here is Liberia's late President Samuel Doe’s dream mansion erected in the city of Zwedru, Grand Gedeh, his hometown. Unlike the Basilica of Yamoussokro, Doe’s dream mansion was never completed.

In Liberia: Rape Still a Weapon

President Sirleaf (attired in gray & black) flanked by women at this year's celebration of Int'l Women's Day in Liberia

Rape, especially child rape, is disgustingly becoming a way of life for some selfish, irresponsible men within the Liberian society. I mean, babies as young as three months are often preyed upon by these thugs, with impunity. Granted that rape became endemic as a weapon of fear during Liberia’s decade-long civil war. But why is it still rampant, going unpunished more often than not?

My Newfound Friend Clocks TWO

The birthday boy (Sekou) looked cheerful throughout the party

It all began with a weeklong planning of little Sekou Bility’s two-year birthday party by his parents. Whether they were planning an intimate gathering of friends and family or an all-out bash, one thing was certain—they knew their little man's second birthday celebration was bound to be special! Oh yes, Mr. Abraham A.S. Bility, the Vice President for Operations (VPO) of FELMAUSA, and his darling wife, Isatu Bility, also knew their little cutie-pie deserved to have some fun, even though he might or might not remember this party, and may even be overwhelmed by it. Yet, every effort was made to ensure a flawless hosting of Sekou’s day.

And when the day finally arrived—March 9, 2014—little Sekou, who happens to be my newfound best friend due to his breathtaking smartness that knows no bounds, was taken to a colorful outdoor birthday party at the Chuck E. Cheese located on Federick Avenue in Gaithersburg, Maryland.