First Lady Promises to Represent Liberia at her Best; Arrives in New York to Advocate for Women Empowerment at the UN
New York, U.S.A.: First Lady, Ambassador Clar M. Weah has pledged her commitment to
represent Liberia the best way possible at all times. Ambassador Weah said her commitment was
based on the warm reception and support Liberians at home and abroad continue to accord her.
“Whatever I have to do and wherever I have to go to represent the women and people of Liberia,
it will be done,” said Ambassador Weah.
Ambassador Weah was speaking Thursday during a reception in her honor at the Liberian
Embassy in New York, in the United States of America, shortly after touching down at the John
F. Kennedy International Airport. The First Lady emphasized that there was nowhere too far or
too close that she would not be able to go in the interest of Liberia but asked for continue prayers
upon her and President George Manneh Weah.
Quoting the famous biblical saying that „God does not give you more than you can handle,
Ambassador Clar Weah said she believes God has given her the responsibilities (as First Lady)
because she is capable of handling it. “I want to empower the women of Liberia, especially the
program for the women in the rural area.I want to take on whatever the challenges are…,” First
Lady Weah told a host of Liberians. She however reiterated that she could not do all, asking for
the support of Liberians.
The Liberian First Lady, along with Gender Minister Williametta Saydee-Tarr, is leading the
Liberia delegation to the Sixty-Second (62nd) Session of the United Nations Commission on the
Status of Women (CSW). The Sixty-Second session of the Commission on the Status of
Women is taking place at the United Nations Headquarters in New York. It runs from March 12
to 23 2018.
On Monday, March 19, the First Lady is expected to address an event on the sidelines of the
session to make the case for sustaining women empowerment programs in Liberia. Ahead of her
address, First Lady Weah promised to „raise her voice as high as possible‟ to attract funding to
Liberia.
Speaking earlier, Liberia‟s ambassador to the United Nations, Lewis Brown, congratulated the
First Lady and President George Weah upon his ascendency to the Liberian presidency.
Ambassador Brown described the First Lady‟s visit as crucial for expressing Liberia‟s gratitude
and determination in moving forward.
“Your visit to New York on the margins of the CSW will say, to not just the UN but also the
larger international community, how grateful we are for their support and their assistance,” said
Ambassador Brown. He continued: “…but at the same time how determined we are.
The Liberian envoy to the UN said Liberia cannot afford going back, stressing that the role of the
current government is to continue to move forward and show the world that Liberia is a better
place. “There is a renewed confidence that you can help our President bear this weight of moving
our country forward; not alone but with all Liberians who are determined to work for the best of
The reception, organized by Liberia‟s Ambassador the United Nations along with the Liberian
Embassy in New York, attracted many Liberians to give the Liberian First Lady an arousing
welcome. The Liberia delegation to the 62nd Session of UN CSW includes representatives from
prominent women organizations, the women legislative caucus, among others.
The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW) is the principal global inter-governmental body
exclusively dedicated to the promotion of gender equality and the empowerment of women. As a
functional commission of the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC), it was established
by Council Resolution 11(II) of 21 June 1946.
During the Commission‟s annual two-week session, representatives of UN Member States, civil
society organizations and UN entities gather at UN headquarters in New York.
The discussions will progress and gaps in the implementation of the 1995 Beijing Declaration
and Platform for Action, the key global policy document on gender equality, and the 23rd special
session of the General Assembly held in 2000 (Beijing+5), as well as emerging issues that affect
gender equality and the empowerment of women.
