The Public Procurement and Concession Commission (PPCC) has embarked on a Gender Responsive Public Procurement (GRP) project, comprehensive and evidence-based, to enhance the participation in public procurement processes of women-owned businesses.
Speaking at a day-long gender responsive procurement (GRP) roundtable workshop on Monday, November 8, 2021, PPCC Executive Director, Attorney Roseline Nagbe-Kowo, elaborated that creating gender parity and access in Liberia’s public procurement space by encouraging women-owned businesses to be cognizant of procurement procedures is pertinent to their improved participation in bidding processes and compliance with rules.
Atty. Roseline Kowo also highlighted that equality and access are principles under the Public Procurement and Concessions Act (PPCA) that are to be upheld, with activities undertaken being in line with these principles.
According to her, this activity, with funding support from United Nations (UN) Women, is the beginning of a journey that will meaningfully help most women-owned businesses move from the informal to the formal sector, enable them to understand the country’s procurement laws and empower them to participate in tendering processes.
She expressed optimism that this gender responsive procurement project, when finalized, will create maximum awareness, empowerment, equality, access, job creation and opportunities for women-led businesses (WLB) operating in the 15 counties in Liberia, all directed at creating parity and balance in Liberia’s public procurement system.
The PPCC Executive Director further noted that the enforcement of the 25 percent of entities’ procurable budget for the participation of Liberian-owned businesses and exclusive five percent for women-owed business should be respected by all procuring entities in Liberia.
“Equality and access are key principles in public procurement that are to be prioritized to enable women-owned businesses to have a space in positively contributing to the Liberian economy,” the PPCC boss intoned.
“PPCC will engage the ministries of Gender, Commerce and other actors for the robust implementation of all activities that yield parity, transparency and enhance growth in Liberia’s public procurement space,” the PPCC boss, Atty. Roseline Kowo, strongly accentuated.
Also speaking, UN Women Program Specialist, Straven H. Willie, pledged the global body’s support for women-owned businesses to ensure competitive and gender-balanced procurement.
According to him, Liberia has demonstrated commitment towards the promotion of gender equality through development of key national policies and legal frameworks that are in alignment with international commitments.
He mentioned that Liberia has made effort to mainstream gender into concession awarding processes.
Willie lauded Peace Building Fund for its support that has enabled the gender responsive procurement project to be successful.