PRESS RELEASE
MONROVIA – Liberia’s Vice President, Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor is in Dubai, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from March 7th to 9th, 2023.
At the invitation of Her Royal Highness Princess Moradeun Ogunlana, founder of the African Women’s Health Project International ( AWPHI) Global Foundation, Madam Vice President served as Keynote Speaker at the First Ladies Forum and Economic Development Summit.
The Summit was hosted in commemoration of International Women’s Day. Speaking on March 8th, International Women’s day, Vice President Howard-Taylor asserted that women’s economic empowerment includes the ability to participate equally in existing markets, access to and control of productive resources, access to decent work, control over their own time, lives and bodies; and the consistent advocacy and meaningful participation in economic decision-making at all levels.
” As we gather here to celebrate another milestone in this struggle for women’s emancipation and empowerment, there is still much that needs to be done if the changes we seek must become a reality ” Madam Vice President intimated.
She applauded all those who continue to make this struggle for Women’s empowerment a daily commitment but called for more attention and a new focus on targeted programs to address women’s issues.
While in Dubai, VP Howard-Taylor held discussions with a team of investors in Dubai Silicon Oasis on exploring possibilities to attract investment opportunities to Liberia.
According to a dispatch, she reiterated President Weah’s pronouncement that Liberia is open for business.
The discussions centered on the possibilities of opening Liberia’s market between the UAE and China in various economic fields, including trade, health, education, agriculture, science, and technology.
With a youthful population of more than 60%, Liberia is better positioned to supply the necessary manpower for industries and companies seeking investment, the investors indicated.
However, the investors highlighted the need to train Liberian youth with the skill sets demanded in the global labor market.
Liberia’s Vice President then stressed the challenges of youth unemployment and encouraged the team of investors to make Liberia an investment hub to address the country’s socioeconomic challenges.
The Dubai Silicon Oasis was established in 2004 by the Government of UAE to promote industries related to modern technology, infrastructure, and business services. It hosts many of the World’s top investors, industries, and companies.
Madam Vice President is also expected to visit the Kingdom of Bahrain on March 10th, 2023 to speak at the 146th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
