All Men Conference, Men are changing the narratives for women

National News
Liberia is changing the narratives of gender equality; this time fully including men- as over 300 men participate in an all-men 3 days conference.
The Conference is held under the theme ‘Gender equality: A call for men’s action NOW—Repair the past and push women forward'  taking place in Central Liberia in Gbarnga, Bong County. It is organized by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection with support from the Swedish government through the United Nations.
Over 300 males are participating they including media practitioners, CSOs heads, NGOs heads, Legislators, Traditional Leaders, Religious Leaders, Ministers, and Director Generals, Judges, Youth groups, Student Council leadership, Motorcyclists Union, Money exchangers, Political Parties, Transport Unions, Marketing Associations, Tailor Union, Wheel Barrow Union, and the Liberia Musical Union are participating in the conference.
The men are discussing ways they can get involved in putting an end to all forms of violence against women and girls using legal instructions as well as common sense by seeing women as partners to men in every sphere of life.
The conference is predicated upon the assumption that gender equality is necessary not just for the growth of females as participants within the Liberian society, but also in addressing poverty reduction and human development challenges among both populations making society.
The event is exploring challenges to achieving gender equality and push for increased women’s representation at all levels of governance and also provide the space and opportunity on information sharing and formulate strategies to get men involved in the advocacy campaign while reaffirming their commitments to gender equality and zero tolerance to gender-based violence.
Last year, the Ministry of Gender, Children & Social Protection held the 1st All Men’s Conference bringing together stakeholders and actors with the understanding that without men’s involvement, gender equality cannot be achieved.
During the first conference, a  communiqué was signed but outcomes could not be followed up due to the 2017 Presidential and Representative Elections. However, over the period, issues affecting women and girls are still being reported and is said to be increasing.
Topics at the conference include; The Role of Men in ending violence against women, The importance of girls’ education in national development, Sexual and Reproductive Health & Rights, Property rights ( e.g. Land rights); Equal work Equal pay ( Employment ), and Women’s political participation in local governance.
Even though there are commitments, there is still a high prevalence of gender-based violence and inequality amongst women and girls as recent statistics from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection show that in 2017, a total of 1,685 GBV cases were recorded, with 97% of the survivors being women and girls.