The President of the Republic of Liberia, Her Excellency Madam Ellen Johnson Sirleaf has by Proclamation, declared Sunday, March 8, 2015 as International Women’s Day and is to be observed as a Working Holiday on Monday, March 9, 2015.

A Foreign Ministry release says the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Women NGO Secretariat, women organizations and groups, in collaboration with the UN System and partners will celebrate the day simultaneously in the fifteen (15) counties of Liberia under the Global Theme: “Make It Happen” and the National Theme: “ Women Rising Beyond Ebola”.

The Proclamation acknowledged the contribution of the women of Liberia in supporting Government in all of its efforts in ensuring Liberia is Ebola free and their continuous advocacy against perpetrators of gender based violence, especially rape.

According to the Proclamation, the intent of the celebration of the day is to create awareness and to engage protection of institutions on the need to speed up the trial of rape cases, strengthen community structures to take collective action on issues against gender based violence and to launch study report on the impact of Ebola on women and men.

Liberia ratified the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), reflecting its commitment to gender equality and equity through its national reconstruction and development program.