On May 8, 2024 a delegation from the “We are like you” project led by coordinator, Ato Kwamena, accompanied Program Lead, Mikel Tellaeche and Medical Director of Aita Menni hospital in Mondragon on what was an all-important visit to the ministry. Prior to this, several informal meetings have been made for a possible collaboration with the ministry of Gender to strengthen the social impact and eliminating the eluding consequences faced by the people in our care.
The delegation was warmly received by Madam Alfreda Jacobs, who initiated this visit to the highest unit in her office. In the meeting was Deputy Minister of Gender, children and Social Protection, Mrs. Josephine Greaves amongst others. The team from Benedict Menni introduced the mental health project and explained the purpose of the meeting, to have a collaboration that will see the mental unit extend their services to the Ministry through advocacy, psychosocial and clinical interventions to the vulnerable.
The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection is a government ministry in Liberia responsible for promoting gender equality, protecting the rights and welfare of children, and providing social protection to vulnerable populations.
The ministry’s key areas of focus include, Gender equality and women’s empowerment, Child protection and welfare, Social protection, and support for vulnerable groups (including people with disabilities, the elderly, and survivors of gender-based violence), and Human rights promotion and protection.
Some specific programs and initiatives of the ministry includes, The National Gender Policy, The Liberia National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security, The Child Protection Policy, The Social Cash Transfer Program (SCTP), and The Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention and Response Program.
This meeting has provided the room to have a Memorandum of understanding between the two parties. We look forward to a successful partnership as we continue our quest to improve Mental, Neurological and Substance Use Disorder in Liberia.