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Clar Weah

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This is an old revision of this page, as edited by BramsKK (talk | contribs) at 18:10, 15 March 2020 (Changing Language to a more neutral tone, including more inline citations, reducing the size of text, reverifying sources). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

  • Comment: Early Life and Career section has no sources, Marriage and Children section has no sources, Office of the First Lady 2018- Present section, has no sources, and the whole tone of the draft is promotional in nature. Theroadislong (talk) 17:39, 24 February 2020 (UTC)
  • Comment: Thank you for writing this draft! However it still needs inline citations - all the statements should be verifiable. MurielMary (talk) 10:20, 13 February 2020 (UTC)
Clar Marie Weah
File:IMG-20200203-WA0000 (1).jpg
First Lady of the Republic of Liberia Clar Weah
Born
Clar Marie Duncan

11 March 1965
Kingston Jamaica
NationalityLiberian
OccupationFirst Lady
Years active2018-Present
SpouseGeorge Manneh Weah (m. 1993)
ChildrenMartha Weah, George Weah Jr, Timothy Weah

Clar Marie Duncan Weah (née Duncan; born March 11, 1965) is a businesswoman, philanthropist, advocate, and the current First Lady of the Republic of Liberia. She is married to George Manneh Weah, the 25th President of the Republic of Liberia, who has been in office since 2018. Clar established the Clar Hope Foundation in 2018, which aims to answer to social,eductational and gender issues inLiberia. She also advocates for women's rights in particular,for victims of rape or sexual abuse. Through various thematic programs for the protection and empowerment of women, the "She's You Movement" was launched, a program that aims to improve the lives of women, and close the gender gaps in Liberia.

Biography

Early Life and Career

Clar Marie Duncan was born[1] in Kingston, Jamaica, and is the youngest of seven children. In her early youth, she migrated along with her family to the United States of America. In the United States, she attended the University of New York and earned her nursing license and a bachelor's degree in Health Sciences. She launched her career working as a customer service representative in New York at both Citibank and Chase Manhattan Bank, during which time she, in conjunction, managed small businesses.

She moved back to Jamaica to pursue her nursing career. Throughout her nursing career, she worked at a local hospital, where she led programs for underprivileged children, including those in children's homes.

Marriage and Children

She met George Weah, the then soccer star, in the early 90's at Chase Manhattan's Bank in New York, where she was serving as a customer service representative[2]. They married on June 26th, 1993[3], and have three children- Martha Weah, George Jr Weah[4] and Timothy Weah[5]. Their sons are international football players[6].

Office of the First Lady 2018- Present

Following the election of her husband as the 25th President of Liberia[7], Clar started her role as the First Lady of the Republic of Liberia,[8]. She set out to develop programs and social projects that encompass services targeting the assistance for orphans, street children, the elderly, women, and girls, with a focus on rural settings. The objectives outlined in the social programs are:

· To improve the living and working conditions of both urban and rural women

· To promote the financial independence of rural women through agriculture

· To rehabilitate, educate, and train urban youth.

· To assist Liberian women in Socio-economic endeavours.

Humanitarian Activism

A focus on Liberia's post war Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) is undertaken by the governemt and the Office of the First Lady.The Gender Ministry of Liberia first-quarter report of 2019[9] estimated that over 800 SGBV cases had been recorded between January to March of 2019, showing the depth and significant magnitude of the state of affairs, consequently demanding urgent attention.

Establishment of Clar Hope Foundation

In 2018, the “Clar Hope Foundation”[10]was founded , as a non-political initiative, aimed at creating an equitable society in Liberia, by restoring hope to disadvantaged children, youth and women through the four pillars of:

1.     Education

2.     Health

3.     Economic Empowerment

4.     Gender Equality

The Clar Hope Foundation came from the merger of sustainable development solutions. The Foundation's priority objectives are on delivering essential educational[11] and emergency healthcare as a universal and constitutional health-right to every Liberian citizen. This approach draws on global and national partnerships between High-Level Policy Makers, CEOs, Leaders, Managers, Politicians, Faith-Based Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations, Civil Society, and the wider United Nations Agencies.

The Clar Hope Foundation's vision aims at "Delivering, Innovating and Investing" in the following agendas[12]

  • Primary Health Care.
  • Maternity and Infant Care Units.
  • Mobile Clinics for Pregnant Women (Predominantly in Rural Areas).
  • General Emergency Services that Need Ambulances.
  • Food Banks and Feeding of the Elderly.
  • School Feeding Programs.
  • Disabled School Children Bus Services.
  • Girl Child Empowerment Initiative Programs and Career Development.
  • Building and Renovation of Orphanage Schools Across the Country.
  • Construction of Housing for the Disabled, Aged and the Underprivileged.
  • Construction of the City of Hope for Skills Training and Acquisition of Vocation.

She's You Movement

The She’s You Movement [13] part of the humanitarian agenda of the Office of the First Lady and launched as its flagship program.

The initiative mission statement aims to advance gender equality through the promotion of women's empowerment and fight to end all forms of violence and detrimental practices against women, girls, and children. The She's You Movement objectives are to create a conducive environment for women and girls to live free of violence, rape, gender inequalities[14], allowing them to reach their full potential. In pursuit of this goal, the movement seeks to reduce infant and maternal mortality causes and rates

The She's You Movement responds to

1. Ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence

2. Ending the practice of child marriages and other harmful traditional practices to children.

3. Ending Mother to Child Transmission of HIV/AIDS

4. Reducing Maternal and Infant Mortality

5. Promoting Women Empowerment through Entrepreneurship and Education

6. Promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights

7. Providing Quality Education and Skills Training for Girls

Ongoing Projects and Achievements

Ongoing Projects and Achievements

Renovation of Orphanages

Ensuring that orphans have adequate food and better living conditions are fundamental in improving their quality of life[15].Since assuming office, at least eight orphanages in Montserrado County and Grand Bassa County have been fully renovated[16]. The projects included replacing makeshift structures with decent and durable residential facilities.

Feeding of the Elderly Program

This program seeks to feed over 2,000 people of the elderly population receive care packages of rationed food to boost their nutrition at the end of every month.The feeding program[17]was launched in April 2018 to assist the elderly in the hopes of increasing levels of social inclusion, engagement, and participation. The program has distributed nearly fifty-thousand packaged foods since its initial launch.

Construction of Home for the Disabled and Elderly

A thirty- bedroom residential facility, to accommodate the physically challenged and the elderly is on the verge of completion. The home currently being constructed in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County was initiated by Clar Weah, through her charity, the Clar Hope Foundation in response to the poor conditions and inadequate care that the elderly and the physically challenged with, in rural and urban settings. This project aims to construct a modern home, operate the house for the elderly and the disabled, and provide essential services, thus ensuring decent life for the beneficiaries

Construction of City of Hope

The construction of City of Hope,[18] launched in Marshall, will comprise of dormitories, academic centers, vocational, rehabilitation, and recreational. The city of Hope aims to be a refuge and rehab center for hundreds of Liberia's socially excluded or marginalized young people.The principal objective is to provide practical and sustainable solutions in building the youth's skills-set for employability purposes.

First Lady's Girl Child Empowerment Initiative

Following her visit to the Henan Ruimei Hair Products CO., LTD; a large hair products factory in Xuchang, Henan, China for the Summit of China-Africa Cooperation on July 2018, the Clar Hope Foundation reached an agreement with the company to train 30 Liberian young women in hair production[19] at their factory for the period of 3-4 weeks.This intervention is part of her Girl child Empowerment Initiative[20] to promote female empowerment and gender equality through bolstering financial independence, as well as, contributing to increasing the nation's Gross Domestic Product and Human Capital Development. The products from the company will also be exported to other countries in the sub-region.

Future Projects

The construction of a modern maternal and infant hospital in order to aid reduction of maternal and infant mortality causes and rates.

Building a school for the less fortunate children[21]

Launching of the First Lady's School feeding program, in addition to a farming project for and by women that will generate funds.

Provision of mobile clinics to assist women living in remote areas to access quality Antenatal/Postnatal Care Services to further aid in reducing maternal and infant mortality.

Honours

Clar Weah was appointed in March 2018, at a Women Symposium in Morocco, Ambassador and Champion for Women’s Football[22], by the Confederation of African Football.

References

  1. ^ "Jamaica Observer Limited". Jamaica Observer. January 4, 2018. Retrieved 2020-02-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  2. ^ Tali, Philip Saa (February 7, 2018). "Come Let's meet the First Lady of Liberia: Mrs. Clar Marie Duncan Weah". www.linkedin.com. Retrieved 2020-02-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  3. ^ Enoku, Clement (June 26, 2019). "PHOTOS: Liberian President, George Weah Celebrates 27th Marriage Anniversary With Wife, Clar Weah". GhanaCelebrities.Com. Retrieved 2020-02-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  4. ^ Mark, Gleeson (June 9, 2015). "Weah junior finally gets chance to emulate famous father". Reuters. Retrieved 2020-03-15.{{cite news}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ Ari, Liljenwall (February 17, 2020). "Timothy Weah returns to field for Lille after lengthy injury absence". mlssoccer.com. Retrieved March 15, 2020.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  6. ^ "Like father, like son: George and Timothy Weah play on same day". en.as.com/. September 12, 2018.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  7. ^ Executive Mansion Liberia (February 18, 2018). "The Executive Mansion". www.emansion.gov.lr. Retrieved 2020-02-25.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ "The Executive Mansion of Liberia". www.emansion.gov.lr. February 18, 2018. Retrieved 2020-02-24.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ APANEWS (May 31, 2019). "Liberia records over 700 SGBV cases from January to March 2019". apanews.net. Retrieved 2020-02-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  10. ^ "First Lady Weah Launches Clar Hope Foundation". www.emansion.gov.lr. Retrieved 2020-02-04.
  11. ^ Brooks, Cholo Brooks (March 21, 2019). "LIBERIA: First Lady Weah says Children's Education is a Priority".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  12. ^ Winston W. Parley, Winston W (June 4, 2018). "Clar Weah launches humanitarian foundation – The New Dawn Liberia". thenewdawnliberia.com. Retrieved 2020-03-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  13. ^ "First Lady Clar Weah Launches She's You Movement – New Republic Liberia". newrepublicliberia.com/. June 21, 2019. Retrieved 2020-03-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  14. ^ Worzi, Alvin (June 21, 2019). ""We Need to Stop Protecting Rapists in Africa"". Liberian Observer. Retrieved 2020-03-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ Sampson, David (August 18, 2018). "First Lady Inspects Humanitarian Projects in Grand Bassa". Retrieved 2020-02-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  16. ^ David, Samson (August 15, 2018). "First Lady Inspects Humanitarian Projects in Grand Bassa". bushchicken.com/. Retrieved 2020-03-15.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  17. ^ Dodoo, Lennart (April 27, 2018). "First Lady Weah Announces Monthly Feeding Initiative for the Elderly". FrontPageAfrica. Retrieved 2020-02-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  18. ^ Kasseh jr, Maximilian K. (January 30, 2020). "Clar City of Hope nearing completion | Liberia Broadcasting System (LBS)". Retrieved 2020-02-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  19. ^ Executive Mansion Press release (August 8, 2018). "Liberia: Beneficiaries of First Lady Girls' Empowerment Program End Industrial Hair Production Training in China". FrontPageAfrica. Retrieved 2020-02-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  20. ^ "First Lady Weah Unveils Plans to Educate 200 Girls". FrontPageAfrica. May 24, 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-07.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  21. ^ "Liberia: First Lady Weah Runs to the Rescue of Rural Children Schools in Difficult Condition". FrontPageAfrica. February 11, 2019. Retrieved 2020-02-04.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  22. ^ http://www.africatopsports.com, Publié par Steven LAVON pour Africa Top Sports Rédacteur en chef à Africa Top Sports Premier portail sportif Africain (2018-03-06). "CAF: la femme de George Weah nommée ambassadrice du football féminin". Africa Top Sports (in French). Retrieved 2020-02-04. {{cite web}}: External link in |last= (help)
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@FirstLady Liberia Youtube Channel

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