MONROVIA — Madam Esther David Yango, Executive Director of the Women’s NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), has called on the Government of Liberia(GoL) to take concrete steps to address the challenges facing rural women, warning that despite their contributions to food production, local economies, and community peacebuilding, many continue to face barriers to economic opportunities and meaningful participation in decision-making.

By Patience M. Jones,patiencejones@frontpageafricaonline.com

Her call comes as Liberia joins the world in observing the International Day of Rural Women on October 15, a day dedicated to recognizing rural women’s contributions and drawing attention to the challenges they face.

Across Liberia, rural women help feed families, sustain local economies, and resolve community conflicts. Yet many continue to struggle with limited access to land, financing, education, healthcare, technology, and leadership opportunities.

From farming and trading in local markets to caring for families and mediating community disputes, rural women play a critical role in the country’s economic and social development. Their contributions also extend to peacebuilding, reconciliation, and efforts to strengthen relationships within communities.

Despite these responsibilities, many rural women face barriers that limit their ability to expand their businesses, improve their livelihoods, and participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their communities.

The observance provides an opportunity for the government, development partners, civil society organizations, and traditional leaders to move beyond celebrating rural women and take practical steps to address the challenges they face.

Rural Women at the Center of Peacebuilding

Beyond their economic contributions, rural women play an important role in maintaining peace and social cohesion across Liberia.

In communities throughout the country, women help resolve disputes, encourage dialogue, rebuild relationships, and bring people together across social and cultural divisions.

Their involvement in community peacebuilding demonstrates that sustainable peace requires more than formal agreements and government initiatives. It also depends on the participation of people who understand the challenges facing their communities and work daily to address them.

Rural women also support survivors of violence and contribute to efforts to prevent violence against women and girls. Through community networks and local leadership structures, they help create spaces where difficult issues can be discussed and conflicts addressed.

However, their contributions to peacebuilding must be matched by meaningful participation in decision-making, particularly in processes concerning local development, security, land rights, and reconciliation.

Recognizing women as peacebuilders means ensuring that they are not merely invited to meetings but are given opportunities to influence decisions and shape policies affecting their lives.

Limited Access to Resources Remains a Challenge

Despite their role in sustaining households and communities, rural women continue to face significant economic and social challenges.

Limited access to land, financial services, markets, education, healthcare, and technology can make it difficult for women to improve agricultural production, establish businesses, and achieve financial independence.

These barriers can also affect their ability to support their children’s education, access essential services, and contribute more effectively to local economic development.

For women who depend on farming and small-scale trading, access to affordable financing, agricultural tools, reliable markets, and skills training can make the difference between struggling to survive and building sustainable livelihoods.

Addressing these challenges requires deliberate investment in rural communities, policies that protect women’s rights, and programs that provide women with the resources needed to improve their economic circumstances.

Calls for Greater Government Commitment

As the International Day of Rural Women is observed, the Government of Liberia and its development partners are being urged to strengthen support for rural women by improving their access to economic opportunities, essential services, and leadership positions.

Civil society organizations, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders also have a role to play in ensuring that rural women are included in development planning and community decision-making.

Support must extend beyond public recognition to practical interventions that improve women’s access to land, credit, education, healthcare, agricultural resources, and markets.

Equally important is the need to protect rural women’s rights, strengthen their participation in peacebuilding, and create opportunities for them to lead community development initiatives.

Investing in rural women can produce wider benefits for Liberia. When women have the resources to increase their income and improve agricultural production, households can become more financially secure, communities can become more resilient, and food security can improve.

Their participation in peacebuilding and local governance can also strengthen social cohesion and promote more inclusive development.

Empowering Rural Women Is Essential to Liberia’s Future

The International Day of Rural Women is observed annually on October 15 to recognize rural women’s contributions and highlight the challenges they face.

For Liberia, the observance is a reminder that the country’s development cannot be separated from the well-being and empowerment of the women who sustain rural households, contribute to food production, and help maintain peace within their communities.

Rural women should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of development programs. They are farmers, entrepreneurs, caregivers, community leaders, and peacebuilders whose knowledge and experience are essential to national progress.

Ensuring that they have access to resources, opportunities, and decision-making spaces is not simply a matter of recognition; it is an investment in Liberia’s economic growth, social stability, and long-term development.

As the country marks the day, the challenge is to translate recognition into action by protecting rural women’s rights, investing in their livelihoods, amplifying their voices, and ensuring their meaningful participation in decisions affecting their future.

When rural women thrive, Liberia thrives. When rural women lead, peace grows. And when rural women are empowered, Liberia moves closer to a more inclusive and prosperous future.

BOMI COUNTY — Women in Gbojay, Bomi County, say financial support from the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP) is helping them build small businesses, pay their children’s school expenses, and ease financial pressures in their homes. But they are calling on the government and its partners to extend the assistance to other women still struggling to make ends meet.

By Patience M. Jones,patiencejones@frontpageafricaonline.com

The women made the appeal Wednesday, during a field visit by representatives of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), the World Bank, Plan International, and other project partners to assess the impact of the initiative on local livelihoods.

For beneficiaries, the support has provided more than access to money. It has created opportunities to save, borrow, invest in small businesses and contribute to household expenses. However, women who have not benefited from the program remain a concern for those already receiving assistance.

Oretha Cooper, secretary of the Walekerma Village Savings Group, said the financial support had helped members develop better money management skills and use loans to strengthen their businesses.

Speaking on behalf of the group’s chairlady, Cooper said the revolving fund had helped women understand the importance of saving, investing, and repaying loans so that other members could also access the money.

“Before, some of us did not know how to manage money or operate businesses. But today, this support has helped us learn how to save, borrow, invest, and repay our loans,” Cooper said.

The group has 25 members and received US$8,000 in revolving funds, disbursed in two instillments of US$4,000 each, according to Cooper and the project coordinator.

Cooper said the money had helped members improve their businesses and meet family responsibilities, including their children’s educational needs.

But she said the benefits should not stop with the current group.

“We want you to help other communities and women who have not received this opportunity. We are benefiting from the support, and we want other women to have the same chance to improve their lives,” she added.

Single Mother Uses Support to Feed Her Family

For Satta Massalay, a beneficiary of the project, the assistance has provided an opportunity to earn an income through gardening and small-scale trading.

Massalay said she divided the money between her farming activities and the purchase of goods for resale, allowing her to generate income to support herself and her children.

“I used the money to work in my garden and buy goods to sell. The profit I make helps me solve problems for myself and my children,” she said.

Another female beneficiary also praised the government and its partners, saying the assistance had helped her establish a small business.

The experiences reflect how livelihood support can help women build income-generating activities and contribute to their families’ daily needs.

According to the LWEP Project Coordinator, village savings groups receive up to US$8,000 in revolving funds, while individual enterprises receive grants of up to US$2,500.

The support is intended to help women establish businesses, expand existing enterprises, and improve their financial independence.

Man Says Women’s Economic Empowerment Can Ease Family Tensions

The impact of the program, beneficiaries say, extends beyond business and household income.

Momo Mah, a male community member, said women’s economic empowerment could help reduce financial pressure within households and improve relationships between couples.

Mah explained that when husbands are expected to meet nearly every household expense, repeated financial demands can sometimes create tension. But when women earn their own income, they can contribute to family needs and ease that pressure.

“When a woman starts doing something small and earning money, it brings fresh air into the home,” Mah said. “As a husband, when I see that my wife is doing something to help the family, I also feel encouraged.”

He urged the government and its partners to provide more women with opportunities to earn income, arguing that stronger financial independence could contribute to more stable households.

His remarks highlighted the connection between women’s economic empowerment and efforts to reduce tensions that may arise from financial hardship.

Women Demand Wider Access to Support

Fatu Sonnie, another beneficiary, said the project had helped women generate income to support their children’s education and meet other household expenses.

However, she raised concerns that some women in the community had not benefited from the program, despite facing similar economic challenges.

Sonnie appealed to the project partners to extend assistance to more women so they could also establish businesses and improve their living conditions.

The appeals from Cooper and Sonnie point to a challenge facing community-based empowerment programs: ensuring that opportunities reach women beyond the initial groups selected to benefit.

Government Urges Beneficiaries to Expand Opportunities

Julius Sele, executive director of the Liberia Agency for Community Empowerment (LACE), said the initiative forms part of broader government efforts to improve livelihoods through small businesses and community-based agricultural activities.

Sele said the program brings together government institutions, the World Bank, and implementing partners to support women and communities facing economic challenges.

He encouraged beneficiaries to use the funds responsibly and demonstrate that the assistance could produce lasting results.

“Those of you who have the opportunity now should demonstrate your ability to do better, so that tomorrow other women who are not part of the group can also have access to similar opportunities,” Sele said.

He also urged the savings group to consider extending credit opportunities to women outside its membership.

Sele noted that while the group had 25 members, the wider community had more than 100 women, making it important to explore ways of spreading the benefits.

His appeal placed responsibility on both project partners and current beneficiaries to help ensure that more women can access economic opportunities.

World Bank Praises Women’s Collective Efforts

Robert Chase, the World Bank’s Practice Manager for Social Policy, said he was encouraged by the women’s experiences and their willingness to discuss challenges affecting their lives.

Chase, who was visiting Liberia for the first time in connection with the project, said he had followed the initiative for years and welcomed the opportunity to observe its implementation in the community.

“I was very impressed to see the way the SASA! group is talking about difficult issues and trying to open up conversations to empower women and the community,” Chase said.

He also highlighted the importance of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), which enable women to save together, access loans, develop businesses, and discuss issues affecting their households and communities.

Chase said the experiences and ideas emerging from Bomi County could offer lessons for other communities across West Africa.

Project Reaches Six Counties

The Liberia Women Empowerment Project is a government initiative implemented by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection with financing from the World Bank.

It supports women’s economic empowerment through livelihood activities, improved access to basic services, community participation, and efforts to prevent violence against women and girls.

The project operates in Bomi, Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Montserrado, and River Cess counties.

The Wednesday field visit also included activities under the Rural Economic Transformation Project (REALISE) in Queenie-1 Town, Suehn Mecca District, Bomi County.

According to the Ministry of Gender, REALISE has supported 33 participants in Queenie-1, including 28 members of an agricultural livelihood group and five Community Oversight Committee members.

The farming group has planted 39 acres of rice, with harvesting ongoing, while a community-selected rice mill has been installed and is operational.

The broader field visit was intended to assess implementation progress, hear directly from beneficiaries, and identify areas requiring further action.

For the women in Gbojay, the support has opened doors to small businesses, improved household contributions, and greater financial independence. But their appeal is clear: the opportunities helping some women move forward should also reach those still waiting for a chance.

The experiences shared in Gbojay show how LWEP, under MGCSP’s leadership and with World Bank financing, is helping women grow businesses, meet their children’s school expenses, and contribute more to household needs. Savings groups and community dialogue are also providing spaces for women to strengthen their financial skills and discuss issues affecting their lives.

The challenge ahead is to sustain these gains while addressing the needs of women yet to benefit. For Gbojay’s beneficiaries, progress carries a shared hope: that the opportunities helping them build greater financial independence will also open doors for other women in their community.

QUEENIE-1 TOWN, Bomi County — Residents of Queenie-1 Town in Suehn Mecca District, Bomi County, are expanding rice production and investing in processing equipment under the Government of Liberia’s Rural Economic Transformation Project (REALISE), as they seek to increase household incomes, reduce post-harvest challenges, and strengthen their livelihoods.

By Patience M. Jones,patiencejones@frontpageafricaonline.com

The community has cultivated 39 acres of rice, exceeding its initial target of 35 acres, and established an operational rice mill intended to ease the burden of traditional processing, particularly for women, while creating opportunities to generate additional income.

The progress was highlighted during a joint field visit by representatives of the REALISE Project and the Liberia Women’s Employment Project, both financed by the World Bank.

For residents, the intervention combines agricultural support, practical training, financial assistance, and a community-selected development project aimed at improving local economic opportunities.

According to project officials, 33 people are directly involved in the intervention, including 28 beneficiaries organized into a Livelihood Agriculture Support group and five members of a Community Oversight Committee. The farming group comprises 14 men and 14 women.

Anita Marshall, Deputy Project Coordinator for Economic Inclusion at REALISE, commended the beneficiaries for exceeding their cultivation target, describing their achievement as evidence of community commitment and ownership.

Marshall explained that the project provides agricultural inputs, financial support, mobile technology, life-skills training, and climate-smart agriculture to help rural residents improve productivity and develop sustainable sources of income.

The farming group received US$1,680 in agricultural input support, while the community received US$1,800 to finance a development project of its choice.

Community Chooses Rice Mill

Rather than investing the community development grant in a bridge or pond, residents decided to purchase a rice-processing machine after consultations on their most pressing needs.

Varmah Dorley, a representative of the Community Oversight Committee, said the community prioritized the rice mill because residents, particularly women, had long struggled with the time and physical effort required to pound rice manually.

Following the consultations, residents purchased the machine and constructed a shelter to house it. The facility is now operational and is expected to serve Queenie-1 Town and surrounding villages.

The mill is intended to improve processing efficiency, reduce the burden of manual labor, and create opportunities for the community to earn income by providing milling services.

Dorley said residents were also considering reinvesting proceeds from their activities in larger agricultural machinery to expand production.

However, the amount of revenue generated by the mill and the timeline for acquiring additional equipment remain to be established.

The community’s ability to maintain the machine, manage its operating costs, and account for any revenue will be important to ensuring that the investment continues to benefit residents beyond the project’s direct support.

Women Build Businesses Through Project Support

Beyond collective rice farming, some beneficiaries are using the assistance to establish small businesses and meet household expenses.

Harrietta Sirleaf, a beneficiary, said the support enabled her to invest in goods for resale, including fish and other market products.

She travels between towns and communities to sell her goods, using the proceeds to support her children and meet other family needs.

Sirleaf also credited the project’s financial management training with improving her understanding of saving, spending, and reinvesting earnings.

She said the training had encouraged her to make more deliberate financial decisions and plan for future expenses rather than immediately spending all her earnings.

She expressed appreciation to the Government of Liberia and the World Bank for the assistance, adding that the opportunity had helped her contribute to her children’s education and household welfare.

Sirleaf called for continued support to enable beneficiaries to strengthen their businesses and improve their economic independence.

Farmers Adopt Improved Agricultural Practices

Beneficiaries also said training provided under the REALISE intervention had improved their understanding of farming and crop management.

Amar Sirgon, another beneficiary, explained that farming had previously been difficult because community members lacked adequate knowledge of land preparation, planting schedules, and effective crop management.

Through the project, beneficiaries received life-skills and climate-smart agriculture training intended to improve production and promote sustainable farming practices.

The training covered appropriate planting periods, farmland preparation, and weed management.

Beneficiaries said they were applying the knowledge to the collective rice farm and their individual gardens, where they cultivate cucumber, pumpkin, pepper, and other crops for household consumption and sale.

The additional production is helping some households meet food needs, generate income, and contribute to school expenses.

The project also aims to connect beneficiary farmers with farmer-based organizations and market actors to improve access to buyers. Such connections are important because increased production does not automatically translate into higher incomes without reliable markets.

Us$42 Million Project Targets 14 Counties

The intervention in Queenie-1 Town forms part of REALISE, which has a total financing portfolio of US$42 million, comprising US$30 million from the World Bank, US$9.5 million from the French Government, and US$2.5 million from the Swedish Government.

The project operates in 14 of Liberia’s 15 counties, excluding Maryland, through components targeting agriculture, social protection, small businesses, and employment.

Its agriculture component operates in Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Bong, Lofa, Nimba, Grand Gedeh, Gbarpolu, and Sinoe counties.

The Social Cash Transfer component covers River Gee, River Cess, Grand Bassa, and Grand Kru counties, while the Small Business Support and Labor-Intensive Public Works components operate in Montserrado and Margibi counties.

In Queenie-1 Town, the project also provides mobile phones and mobile-money SIM cards to beneficiaries and committee members to facilitate payments and support participation in the initiative.

Each of the 28 farming beneficiaries is entitled to a US$350 labor subsidy. Project representatives indicated that outstanding payments were expected to be completed before December 2026, with funds transferred through registered mobile-money accounts.

Sustainability Remains A Key Test

Despite the reported progress, sustaining the community’s gains will depend on continued cooperation, financial accountability, and reliable market access.

Beneficiaries have discussed dividing proceeds from their collective activities among savings, individual business investments, and community initiatives. Residents are also considering expanding agricultural production, including cultivating cassava during the next farming cycle.

These plans reflect an effort to move beyond short-term assistance toward activities that can support future investments and household incomes.

However, the long-term impact will depend on whether farmers can maintain their equipment, secure agricultural inputs, sell their produce at viable prices, and continue operating their businesses after external assistance ends.

For Queenie-1 Town, the immediate priorities are to complete the rice harvest, strengthen market connections, and develop a sustainable system for managing the community rice mill.

The intervention demonstrates how agricultural inputs, practical training, financial assistance, and community-led investments can support rural livelihoods.

Whether these early gains translate into lasting economic improvements will ultimately depend on the community’s ability to turn increased production and shared assets into consistent income and sustainable opportunities.

MONROVIA, Liberia — Liberia’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has launched a five-year strategic plan aimed at strengthening gender equality, child protection, and social protection services, with Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie warning that inadequate resources, weak coordination, and limited institutional capacity could undermine its implementation.

By Patience M. Jones,patiencejones@frontpageafricaonline.com

The Strategic Plan 2026–2030 was officially launched Wednesday at the Ballroom of the EJS Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, bringing together government officials, development partners, United Nations agencies, civil society organizations, women’s groups, and other stakeholders.

The plan establishes a framework for strengthening the Ministry’s institutional capacity, improving service delivery, promoting social inclusion, and expanding sustainable livelihood opportunities for vulnerable populations.

Delivering special remarks at the launch, Horace-Kollie emphasized that the plan’s success would depend not on its stated ambitions alone, but on the government’s ability to mobilize resources, coordinate institutions, and translate policy priorities into measurable outcomes.

She cautioned that even a comprehensive strategic plan could fail without adequate financing, sustained political commitment, effective partnerships, and the institutional capacity necessary to implement its objectives.

“No strategic plan, regardless of how comprehensive or ambitious, can succeed without adequate resources, effective coordination, sustained political commitment, and the institutional capacity required to translate priorities into tangible results,” the Minister emphasized.

MINISTRY SEEKS SHIFT FROM FRAGMENTED INTERVENTIONS

Horace-Kollie said the new framework is intended to move the Ministry beyond fragmented interventions toward a coordinated, integrated, and results-driven approach that aligns national priorities, institutional responsibilities, available resources, and measurable performance outcomes.

The plan prioritizes women and girls, children, persons with disabilities, older persons, and vulnerable households, with a focus on strengthening protection systems, expanding social inclusion, and improving access to essential social protection services.

According to the Minister, the framework will also guide policy implementation, deepen collaboration among government institutions and development partners, and reinforce accountability across the Ministry’s areas of responsibility.

She stressed that implementation must be supported by strategic investment and collective action from government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, and other relevant stakeholders.

“Implementation requires more than goodwill; it demands strategic investment, strong partnerships, and the collective determination to turn our priorities into practical outcomes,” Horace-Kollie said.

The Minister maintained that the plan’s ultimate value would be determined by its impact on the lives of the people it is intended to serve.

She said women must experience greater protection and economic opportunities, children must benefit from stronger safeguarding systems, survivors must gain improved access to timely and dignified services, and vulnerable individuals and families must receive more responsive social protection.

“This is the promise of our Strategic Plan, and it is the standard against which its success must ultimately be measured,” she stated.

CIVIL SERVICE AGENCY PLEDGES SUPPORT

For his part, Dr. Josiah F. Joekai Jr., Director General of the Civil Service Agency (CSA) and chief launcher of the strategic plan, commended the Ministry for reaching what he described as an important milestone in strengthening institutional effectiveness and advancing its national mandate.

Joekai reaffirmed the CSA’s commitment to working with the Ministry to prioritize staff welfare, strengthen institutional capacity, and support the implementation of the plan’s objectives.

He emphasized the importance of investing in the public servants responsible for delivering government services, noting that a motivated, adequately supported, and capable workforce is essential to effective institutional performance.

The CSA’s pledge comes as the Ministry seeks to strengthen its internal systems and improve its ability to deliver services to vulnerable populations throughout Liberia.

GOVERNMENT, DEVELOPMENT PARTNERS URGED TO BACK IMPLEMENTATION

Horace-Kollie expressed gratitude to President Joseph Nyuma Boakai for the confidence placed in the Ministry and for his administration’s commitment to mobilizing resources in support of national development priorities.

She also acknowledged the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning for its role in resource mobilization and fiscal coordination, emphasizing that financial support would be essential to translating the plan’s priorities into practical results.

The Minister further recognized development partners and other stakeholders for their technical assistance, collaboration, and investments in strengthening the Ministry’s institutional capacity.

The launch was attended by representatives of civil society organizations, local and international development partners, the United Nations system, and government ministries and agencies, including their Gender and Social Inclusion Coordinators.

Their participation reflects the importance of coordinated partnerships in advancing the plan’s objectives.

IMPLEMENTATION WILL DETERMINE THE PLAN’S LEGACY

The Ministry has reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the Strategic Plan 2026–2030, with priorities including stronger institutional performance, improved service delivery, gender equality, child protection, and expanded social protection for vulnerable and marginalized populations.

However, the plan’s effectiveness will ultimately depend on whether its commitments are matched by adequate budgetary allocations, clear implementation responsibilities, measurable targets, and sustained monitoring of results.

For women and girls facing violence and discrimination, children requiring protection, survivors seeking support, and vulnerable households struggling to access essential services, the central question is whether the new framework will produce tangible improvements in their daily lives.

As the Ministry begins the five-year implementation period, the challenge will be to ensure that its strategic commitments translate into accessible services, stronger protection mechanisms, and greater accountability to the Liberian people.

MONROVIA— A Liberian delegation comprising officials from the Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-L) and the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) has returned from Rwanda following a study tour aimed at strengthening Liberia’s efforts to establish the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) and the National Anti-Corruption Court (NACC).

By Patience M. Jones,patiencejones@frontpageafricaonline.com

The delegation returned late Monday, October 12 after a study tour conducted from September 24 to October 12 during which members engaged Rwandan transitional justice institutions, government agencies, media organizations, memorial centers, and civil society groups to examine lessons from the country’s post-conflict recovery and accountability processes.

The visit sought to promote institutional learning, technical cooperation, and partnerships that could support Liberia’s efforts to address the legacies of its civil conflicts, strengthen accountability, and advance national reconciliation.

Dr. Cllr. Jallah A. Barbu, Executive Director of OWECC- and Julius Kanubah, President of the PUL, led discussions on how Rwanda’s experience could inform Liberia’s transitional justice process, particularly in establishing mechanisms to address war-related atrocities and economic crimes.

The discussions also explored opportunities for cooperation in national healing, memorialization, digital archiving, institutional capacity-building, and assistance for victims and survivors of Liberia’s civil conflicts.

According to the delegation, Rwanda’s experience offers lessons on confronting painful national histories, promoting social cohesion, strengthening public confidence in institutions, and pursuing accountability for serious human rights violations and economic crimes.

Media Responsibility and Transitional Justice

The delegation also prioritized engagement with Rwandan media institutions, recognizing the role of journalism in both conflict and post-conflict recovery.

Rwanda’s history illustrates the devastating consequences of media being used to promote hatred and incitement during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi, as well as the potential for responsible journalism to contribute to public education, reconciliation, and national recovery.

Against this backdrop, the delegation held strategic engagements with the Rwandan Journalists Association (ARJ), the Rwanda Media Commission (RMC), and the Liberian Media Institutions Network-Rwanda (LMIN-R), a network of online media platforms operated by Liberian students living in Rwanda, including journalists and other media practitioners.

OWECC-L and the PUL expressed confidence that the engagements could lead to practical cooperation in transitional justice reporting, professional development, digital documentation, peace education, and exchanges between media practitioners in both countries.

The institutions also indicated that prospective collaborations could complement existing memoranda of understanding and strengthen professional solidarity and democratic accountability between Liberia and Rwanda.

For Liberia, stronger media engagement in transitional justice could help improve public understanding of the proposed justice institutions, encourage informed national dialogue, and ensure that the experiences of victims and survivors remain part of discussions surrounding accountability and reconciliation.

Study Tour Covered Five Rwandan Locations

The study tour covered Kigali, Musanze, Rubavu, Kibuye, and Nyanza, exposing delegates to Rwanda’s transitional justice institutions, memorialization initiatives, and post-conflict recovery programs.

The delegation comprised Dr. Barbu; Kanubah; Ezekiel E. Fayia, a Liberia National Police intelligence and investigative officer assigned to OWECC-L; Simeon J. Lomah, Head of Information and Communications Technology at OWECC-L; Edmond S. Kamei, Assistant Director for Operations at OWECC-L; and Patrick Niyongabo, an adviser and escort for the Rwanda engagements.

The delegation also received support from Tyfred B. Teh, a Liberian student pursuing a Master of Laws degree in Rwanda and a member of the Steering Committee of the African Transitional Justice Youth Network (ATJYN), who assisted with and participated in several engagements.

The visit comes as Liberia continues efforts to establish the WECC and NACC as part of its broader pursuit of accountability and justice.

The proposed WECC is intended to address crimes committed during Liberia’s civil conflicts, while the NACC is expected to strengthen efforts to prosecute corruption-related offenses.

As the country advances these initiatives, lessons from Rwanda’s experience could inform institutional development, public education, documentation, and engagement with victims and survivors.

However, the practical impact of the study tour will depend on how the lessons and relationships developed during the visit translate into concrete institutional cooperation and progress toward establishing the proposed courts.

MONROVIA — The Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) has called for stronger inter-ministerial coordination, increased government funding, and stricter data protection measures as Liberia launches its first Gender-Based Violence Information Management System (GBVIMS), warning that fragmented reporting and inadequate resources could undermine efforts to protect survivors and hold perpetrators accountable.

By Patience M. Jones,patiencejones@frontpageafricaonline.com

The system, launched by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection under the leadership of Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie, is expected to strengthen the collection and management of gender-based violence (GBV) data, providing a foundation for evidence-based policies and improved responses to survivors.

WONGOSOL Executive Director Esther S. Davis Yango, who participated in the launch, stressed that the system’s effectiveness will depend on how well government institutions coordinate their reporting and establish a reliable national dataset on gender-based violence.

During her remarks, Yango highlighted concerns over inconsistencies in GBV figures received by civil society organizations from different government institutions, including the ministries responsible for gender, justice, and health.

She called for stronger collaboration among the three ministries to harmonize reporting, protect data integrity  and ensure that institutions work from one reliable set of national figures.

The concern underscores the importance of establishing a coordinated system through which accurate and consistent information can guide national interventions, resource allocation and accountability in addressing gender-based violence.

FUNDING GAPS COULD UNDERMINE DATA COLLECTION

Beyond coordination, WONGOSOL raised concerns about whether existing resources will be sufficient to support effective data collection across Liberia, particularly in remote and hard-to-reach communities where survivors often face significant barriers to reporting abuse and accessing services.

Yango urged the Government of Liberia to complement development partners’ contributions by allocating adequate funding in the Ministry of Gender’s national budget to provide additional data collection equipment across the counties.

Although the provision of two tablets per county represents an initial step toward strengthening data collection, she cautioned that the equipment may not be sufficient to support comprehensive reporting nationwide.

Without adequate tools and resources, communities with limited access to services risk remaining underrepresented in national GBV statistics, potentially weakening the evidence needed to identify gaps, direct interventions and improve support for survivors.

WONGOSOL maintained that the successful implementation of the system must extend beyond its launch to include sustained government investment, adequate equipment and the capacity to collect reliable information throughout the country.

SURVIVOR CONFIDENTIALITY MUST BE PROTECTED

WONGOSOL also emphasized the need to involve civil society organizations and frontline service providers in implementing the system, given their roles in supporting survivors and responding to cases of gender-based violence.

The organization stressed that the collection and management of GBV information must strictly adhere to confidentiality, data protection, informed consent, and survivor-centered principles.

These safeguards are critical to ensuring that sensitive information is handled responsibly and that survivors’ privacy and dignity are protected throughout the reporting process.

For WONGOSOL, the system must not only improve the availability of GBV statistics but also strengthen the institutions and services responsible for responding to violence against women and girls.

CALL FOR SUSTAINED GOVERNMENT OWNERSHIP

WONGOSOL congratulated Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, alongside development partners, technical teams, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders whose collaboration contributed to the launch.

However, the organization stressed that the milestone must be followed by sustained government ownership, adequate financing, and stronger institutional coordination to ensure the system delivers meaningful results.

Reliable data, it argued, must translate into evidence-based policies, improved services, stronger accountability, and access to justice for survivors of gender-based violence.

The launch of Liberia’s first GBV Information Management System marks an important step toward strengthening the country’s response to gender-based violence. Its long-term impact, however, will depend on whether the government and its partners can address gaps in coordination, financing, data collection, and survivor protection.

For WONGOSOL, the ultimate measure of success will not simply be the establishment of a national information system, but whether the information it generates leads to more effective interventions, better protection, and greater accountability for gender-based violence in Liberia.

MONROVIA — For Roselyne M. Kollie, a member of the Women in Peacebuilding Network (WIPNET) Peace Hut in Fish Market, Montserrado County, a two-day peacebuilding training was more than an opportunity to learn. It was a reminder that young people must be included in decisions affecting their communities.

By Patience M. Jones, patiencejones@frontpageafricaonline.com

“Any decision we are making, I will call the youth so that they can be part of it,” Kollie said, describing one of the key lessons she intends to take back to her community.

Her commitment reflects a broader challenge facing Liberia more than two decades after its civil war: ensuring that women, young people, survivors of conflict, and persons with disabilities have meaningful opportunities to shape peacebuilding and transitional justice processes.

Through the PeaceGen Project, the Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), with funding from the European Union and co-funding from the Embassy of Ireland, is working to strengthen existing Peace Huts and community-based conflict management structures in Montserrado, Bomi and Bong counties.

The initiative seeks to integrate the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agendas into community-level peacebuilding.

Held October 12–13 at the WIPNET Peace Hut in Fish Market, the Montserrado Training brought together more than 50 participants, including women leaders, youth representatives, persons with disabilities, civil society actors and other local stakeholders.

For participants, the discussions highlighted a shared concern: sustainable peace requires more than the absence of conflict.

 It demands accountability, inclusion, and opportunities for communities to address past injustices.

Young women call for accountability

For Jamaima S. Tweh, Chair of the Gender Committee of the Mano River Union Youth Parliament, Liberia Chapter, strengthening peace begins with protecting women and girls from sexual and gender-based violence.

Tweh expressed concern about reported cases of sexual violence, arguing that protective policies mean little without effective implementation and accountability.

“Once there are policies set up … there are penalties to whosoever violated these laws,” she said, calling on authorities to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable in accordance with the law.

She also highlighted the stigma and cyberbullying survivors may experience when their cases become public, stressing the importance of protecting victims from further trauma.

In rural communities, she said, limited awareness of reporting procedures can prevent families from responding appropriately when children experience sexual abuse.

Tweh called for simplified public education across Liberia’s 15 counties to help communities understand how to report abuse and preserve evidence.

“Once the people are well informed about some of these things, … you will get proper reports,” she said.

Her concerns underscore the importance of community education, victim protection, and access to justice in strengthening public confidence and preventing further harm.

‘Young People Must Be Part Of The Decision’

Tweh also emphasized that young people must move beyond being described as Liberia’s future leaders to participating meaningfully in decisions today.

She said awareness of the Youth, Peace and Security agenda is essential to its implementation, noting that young people cannot exercise their rights if they do not understand them.

“How can a person act on a document if they don’t know what is in it for them?” she asked.

She called on government institutions and other decision-makers to include young people throughout policy development and implementation.

“It’s not about encouraging young people; they have to ensure youth participation,” she said.

For Tweh, meaningful participation means giving young people opportunities to contribute ideas, assume leadership responsibilities, and help shape the country’s future.

Persons With Disabilities Demand A Voice

Evelyn K. Dennis, livelihood empowerment unit coordinator at the National Commission on Disabilities, said the training reinforced the need to include persons with disabilities in peacebuilding and public decision-making.

“This is an eye-opener, that we shouldn’t only be invitees; we should also be participants,” Dennis said. “We should have a voice in everything that concerns any other Liberian.”

She identified inaccessible meeting venues and the absence of sign-language interpreters as barriers that prevent persons with disabilities from participating fully.

Dennis urged organizations to ensure that venues are accessible and interpretation services are available when needed.

“Peace is everybody’s business,” she said.

She also called for persons with disabilities affected by conflict to be considered in transitional justice efforts, alongside expanded livelihood training to help them achieve greater independence.

For Dennis, inclusion means ensuring that people can contribute to decisions affecting their lives, regardless of disability, educational background, or social status.

Taking Peace Back To The Community

Kollie said she intends to apply the lessons by encouraging young people to participate in community decisions and peacebuilding activities.

She described engaging young men in her community, including those in ghettos, and encouraging them to avoid drugs and consider their responsibilities to their families.

She believes young people can influence their peers when given positive opportunities and the confidence to participate.

Her message reflects the PeaceGen Project’s broader effort to revitalize Peace Huts as spaces where generations can work together to prevent violence, resolve disputes, and promote reconciliation.

Stephen Roberts, representing the Liberia Peacebuilding Office’s Early Warning and Early Response Mechanism, also emphasized the importance of youth participation in sustaining peace.

He called for greater investment in youth development through education, community engagement, and leadership opportunities, arguing that young people need the knowledge and skills to manage conflict and contribute positively to society.

From Training To Action

More than two decades after Liberia’s civil war, accountability, reconciliation, and the experiences of survivors remain important to the country’s transitional justice agenda.

Through intergenerational dialogue and memory sessions, the PeaceGen Project seeks to create opportunities for communities to discuss past experiences, strengthen understanding between generations, and help prevent future conflict.

The initiative also aims to help participants develop local action plans, strengthen existing peacebuilding structures, and establish a network of community actors to support continued dialogue and transitional justice activities.

The project is implemented by Kvinna till Kvinna in partnership with WONGOSOL, the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL), the Alliance for Peace, Justice and Human Rights (APJHR), the National Young Women Political Council of Liberia, and the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL).

Ultimately, the initiative’s success will depend on whether its lessons translate into action and whether marginalized groups gain meaningful opportunities to influence decisions affecting their communities.

For Kollie, that change begins by bringing young people into the conversation. For Tweh, it requires accountability and meaningful youth participation. For Dennis, it means ensuring that persons with disabilities have an equal voice.

Together, their messages underscore a central lesson for Liberia: lasting peace requires more than ending conflict. It requires ensuring that everyone has a voice in shaping the country’s future.

KIGALI, Rwanda — For thousands of Liberians still waiting for justice for atrocities committed during the country’s brutal civil conflicts, the establishment of a court to prosecute war and economic crimes represents more than a legal undertaking. It is a long-awaited opportunity to confront the past, hold perpetrators accountable and give victims and survivors a greater sense of justice.

By Patience M. Jones,patiencejones@frontpageafricaonline.com

Against this backdrop, a high-level Liberian delegation is looking to Rwanda for lessons, technical support and strategic partnerships that could help shape Liberia’s transitional justice process.

The delegation, comprising representatives of the Office for the Establishment of War and Economic Crimes Court for Liberia (OWECC-Liberia), the Press Union of Liberia (PUL) and the Liberia National Police (LNP), has undertaken a series of engagements with Rwandan institutions working in transitional justice, law enforcement, academia, civil society and the media.

The engagements, which began following the delegation’s arrival in Rwanda on October 2,  are aimed at identifying practical lessons and opportunities for collaboration as Liberia moves toward establishing and operationalizing its proposed War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) and National Anti-Corruption Court (NACC).

For Liberia, where questions of accountability for past atrocities remain central to national reconciliation, the initiative presents an opportunity to learn from another African country’s experience in confronting a violent past and pursuing justice.

LOOKING BEYOND THE COURTROOM

Led by Cllr. Professor Jallah A. Barbu, Executive Director of OWECC-Liberia; Julius Kanubah, President of the Press Union of Liberia  and Ezekiel E. Fayia, Superintendent of the Liberia National Police, the delegation has held discussions across Kigali, Musanze and Rubavu.

The delegation is also scheduled to visit Kibuye and Nyamata before returning to Liberia.

The discussions have focused on transitional justice, reconciliation, accountability, national healing, memorialization, digitalization and support for victims and survivors of Liberia’s armed conflicts.

These issues extend beyond the creation of judicial institutions. They also raise questions about how victims can access justice, how survivors can have their experiences acknowledged, how evidence can be preserved and how society can confront the consequences of violence without abandoning accountability.

For the Liberian delegation, Rwanda’s experience offers an opportunity to examine approaches that could inform the country’s own efforts, while recognizing that Liberia must develop solutions suited to its history, institutions and national circumstances.

During engagements with Rwandan transitional justice actors, Barbu and Kanubah emphasized the importance of cross-cultural learning, technical assistance and institutional capacity-building in strengthening Liberia’s transitional justice process.

The delegation includes Simeon J. Lomah, Head of Information and Communications Technology at OWECC-Liberia; Edmond S. Kamei, Assistant Director for Operations at OWECC-Liberia; and Patrick Niyongabo, Escort and Adviser to the delegation.

Media Partnerships To Strengthen Accountability

Beyond judicial institutions, the delegation is also exploring opportunities to strengthen cooperation between Liberian and Rwandan media organizations.

Kanubah expressed confidence that discussions with the Rwanda Journalists Association (ARJ) and the Rwanda Media Commission (RMC) would lead to a memorandum of understanding to promote collaboration between the two countries’ journalism communities.

The proposed partnership is expected to create opportunities for professional exchange, knowledge-sharing and stronger media solidarity.

For Liberia, where public understanding of transitional justice will be essential to meaningful national participation, stronger journalism partnerships could help expand public education and improve reporting on accountability, reconciliation and the work of institutions responsible for addressing past and present injustices.

A well-informed public is critical to ensuring that transitional justice is not treated solely as a government or legal-sector initiative, but as a national process in which citizens understand their rights, responsibilities and opportunities to participate.

Turning International Lessons Into National Action

The delegation’s engagements come as Liberia continues efforts to advance the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court and the National Anti-Corruption Court.

While international exchanges can provide valuable insights, their significance will ultimately depend on how those lessons are translated into practical action at home.

For victims and survivors of Liberia’s civil conflicts, the promise of transitional justice will be measured not simply by international partnerships or institutional announcements, but by whether credible mechanisms emerge to pursue accountability, recognize suffering and contribute to national healing.

The delegation’s ongoing engagements in Rwanda therefore represent an opportunity to build relationships and strengthen institutional knowledge that could support Liberia’s justice and accountability agenda.

The ultimate test, however, will be whether the knowledge gained and partnerships developed can help move Liberia closer to a transitional justice process that responds meaningfully to the needs of victims, survivors and the wider public.

TOSOR, Grand Cape Mount County — When the money reached some women in Grand Cape Mount County, it did more than put cash in their hands. It opened doors to small businesses, helped pay school fees, provided food for families and gave women greater control over their economic lives.

By Patience M. Jones, patiencejones@frontpageafricaonline.com

But for women benefiting from the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP), the opportunity has also come with challenges.

Some women in Tosor Community say they need more time to repay the funds, particularly as seasonal conditions make it difficult to generate enough income within three months. Others are still waiting for grants they say they were promised, while one group is seeking urgent intervention after an error in its payment processing left members with only a portion of the amount they expected.

The concerns emerged Tuesday when the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), the World Bank and LWEP implementation partners visited Grand Cape Mount County for a technical review aimed at hearing directly from beneficiaries about the impact of the project.

The visit brought together county authorities, community leaders, women beneficiaries, Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), health workers and other stakeholders.

The delegation was welcomed through traditional drumming, music and the presentation of white rice, kala and two white chickens by the town chief and community members.

But beneath the celebration was a more personal story: women who say LWEP has allowed them to improve their livelihoods, while also calling for changes they believe could make the support more sustainable.

‘The Money Is Helping Us Send Our Children to School’

For Sao G. Sando, a beneficiary and member of a village savings group, the project’s value goes beyond the money itself.

She said the training has taught women how to save, keep proper records, manage their businesses, and use borrowed funds responsibly.

Sando now sells water and soft drinks while encouraging other women in her savings group to expand their businesses.

For her, one of the clearest signs of the project’s impact is its contribution to children’s education.

“We tell you people thank you because you’re making us able to send our children to school, for them to be educated,” she said.

Sando said women are increasingly taking responsibility for the welfare of their children and households rather than depending entirely on others.

Her experience mirrors that of other beneficiaries who say access to small amounts of capital has allowed them to start or expand businesses and generate income for their families.

But not every woman has received the support.

When the Money Does Not Arrive

Korpu, Chairlady of the Women of Success group, said her members completed the required training and were prepared to invest their grant in their businesses.

Instead, a discrepancy in the payment process has left the group waiting.

According to Korpu, the group was expecting an US$8,000 grant, with an initial payment of US$4,000. However, US$4,000 was entered into the system as the approved amount and was subsequently split, resulting in a payment of US$2,000.

Korpu said the group rejected the amount because it did not correspond with the US$8,000 they had requested.

“We were told that $8,000 would be given to us,” she explained.

She said the delay has been particularly frustrating for members who had already planned businesses around the expected funding, including single mothers and older women.

Colonel Sharman, Chairlady of Women of Substance in Robertsport, said her group is facing a similar situation.

The group has not yet received its grant, despite completing the necessary training.

“We are dying hard for this grant,” Sharman said.

She said the existing village savings system has helped sustain the women while they wait, but the grant would provide additional capital to expand their businesses.

Project Explains Payment Error

An LWEP project representative acknowledged during the meeting that an error occurred in the processing of the Women of Success grant.

The representative explained that the group requested US$8,000, but a fee officer mistakenly entered US$4,000 into the system. That amount was then divided into two payments, resulting in the group receiving US$2,000.

Because of the project’s approval procedures, the technical team could not simply alter the amount without going through the formal process.

The project representative said the group was right to refuse to sign for an amount that did not correspond with its request.

He said formal communication would be sent to the Project Management Unit (PMU) to correct the error and facilitate payment of the appropriate amount.

He expressed hope that the matter could be resolved within the coming month.

For beneficiaries, however, the issue is not only about how much money they receive, but how much time they are given to make the money work.

‘Three Months Is Too Short’

Tarlor N. Kannedy of Togarana Savings Club in Gwonzudwa said the three-month repayment period is placing pressure on women whose businesses are affected by seasonal challenges.

She said the women appreciate the assistance but need enough time for their investments to generate returns, particularly during the rainy season when some businesses slow down.

“Even though we have the money, the three months is looking short to us,” Kannedy said.

She called for an extension of the repayment period or a system that would allow beneficiaries to operate through established village savings arrangements.

Under traditional village savings systems, members contribute regularly, borrow money, pay interest and, in some cases, extend repayment by paying additional interest.

Kannedy said such flexibility would allow women to grow their businesses without the constant pressure of a fixed three-month deadline.

“Even though it brings happiness to us, it brings tension to us in other ways,” she said.

Small Businesses, Big Responsibilities

For other women, the money has already produced visible changes.

Massa J. Fahbulla said she invested in the dry-fish business and uses the income to support her children, including paying school expenses and providing food.

Other beneficiaries reported investing in petty shops, cold-water businesses, dry goods and fishing.

A beneficiary from Toso United Savings Club said he received 25,000 Liberian dollars from his group and used it to purchase fishing nets.

He said the investment has helped him expand his fishing activities and repay the money within the first three months.

Massa J. Fahbulla said her group has also used project funds to provide loans to members and generate interest, allowing the money to circulate among women who need capital.

For these women, the project money is not simply cash received and spent. It is capital that must be managed, repaid, and reinvested.

Village Savings: A Lifeline Beyond the Grant

Across Grand Cape Mount County, women repeatedly pointed to village savings groups as one of the strongest foundations supporting their economic activities.

Some groups have existed for years, allowing members to save regularly, borrow money, pay interest, and reinvest their earnings.

Estella Nkenene, Chairlady of a village savings group in Robertsport, said her group has operated for about five years.

She explained that members contribute regularly and loans are given to trusted members based on their ability to repay.

When LWEP funds arrived, the group created a separate system to protect and manage the project money.

Nkenene said the group has generated interest by lending the money to members and is using the proceeds to increase the amount available for women.

“We don’t look at the project money as free money,” she said. “We will be checking on you.”

For Nkenene, accountability is essential because the money must continue benefiting women beyond the first cycle of beneficiaries.

Training Beyond the Money

Beneficiaries said the impact of LWEP extends beyond financial assistance.

Hawa Balla of Togetherness Savings Club said training taught members how to manage money, avoid using funds for prohibited activities and invest in productive businesses.

She said members returned from training and shared the lessons with others in their communities.

Another village savings leader said the project also provided training on climate-smart agricultural practices, including soil fertility, crop rotation and the use of organic materials to improve farming.

The women said the training has helped them think differently about managing businesses, savings and household income.

A Project Built Around Women’s Economic Empowerment

Abdullai Sheriff, Lead Service Provider Manager for LWEP, said the project is a five-year Government of Liberia initiative implemented through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection with financing from the World Bank.

He said the project is expected to run until June 2027 and is being implemented across six counties and 498 communities.

According to Sheriff, the project has an overall financing envelope of approximately US$44.6 million, including US$18 million allocated for grants.

He said LWEP is expected to reach approximately 267,200 people through interventions covering livelihoods, grants, gender-based violence prevention and response, education, community participation and accountability.

Sheriff encouraged beneficiaries to use the project’s grievance redress mechanisms to report complaints and seek solutions.

“We are here for you,” he told the beneficiaries, encouraging them to share their experiences, concerns and recommendations.

Who Is Behind LWEP ?

The Liberia Women Empowerment Project is a Government of Liberia initiative funded by the World Bank and implemented through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP).

The project is designed to strengthen the social and economic empowerment of women and girls by improving access to livelihoods and basic services, addressing harmful social norms, preventing and responding to gender-based violence, strengthening community participation and building institutional capacity.

Plan International Liberia serves as the Lead Service Provider, working with a consortium of partners that includes Catholic Relief Services (CRS), ActionAid Liberia, Medica Liberia, Defence for Children International (DCI), Foundation for Community Initiatives (FCI), Kids Educational Engagement Project (KEEP), Raising Voices, Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) and VIAMO.

The project is being implemented in Montserrado, Bomi, Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount, River Cess and Grand Gedeh counties.

Its interventions include support for women-led businesses, Village Savings and Loan Associations, farmer-based organizations, grants, community mobilization, gender-based violence prevention and response, education and institutional strengthening.

From the Community to the Health Center

The technical review did not end with community meetings.

The delegation also visited a health facility in Robertsport, where members interacted with doctors, nurses and other health authorities.

Health workers discussed challenges affecting services for survivors of gender-based violence and other vulnerable community members.

The engagement provided the World Bank, MGCSP and project partners with an opportunity to hear directly from frontline health workers about gaps in service delivery and the needs of survivors.

Superintendent Welcomes Delegation

Grand Cape Mount County Superintendent Hon. Foley J. Kiatamba welcomed the World Bank, MGCSP and LWEP delegation to the county.

Kiatamba acknowledged the presence of government officials, development partners, community leaders and beneficiaries, saying the county appreciated the visit and the opportunities created through the project.

He assured the delegation of the county’s welcome and support.

Beyond the Numbers

For the women gathered in Tosor, the field visit was more than a routine project review.

It became a rare opportunity for beneficiaries to speak openly about what is working, what is not, and what they believe needs to change.

For some women, the project has already become school fees, food on the table, fishing nets, petty shops and growing businesses.

For others, the promised support remains just that — promised.

And for those who have received the funds, the message is equally clear: the opportunity matters, but three months may not be enough time to turn a small investment into sustainable income.

The women are not simply asking for money.

They are asking for time, flexibility, and a system that allows the opportunity they have been given to grow.

MONROVIA — The Embassy of India in Liberia has marked the 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi with a call for peace, nonviolence, dialogue and compassion, while strengthening its humanitarian engagement with Liberia through a donation of medicines to the Group of 77 Disabled Center.

By Patience M. Jones, patiencejones@frontpageafricaonline.com

The celebration, held Friday at the Indian Embassy in Mamba Point, brought together members of the Indian community, government officials, disability advocates, educators, students and other invited guests, including a delegation of Liberian legislators led by Hon. Ellen A. Attoh-Wreh, Chairperson of the Women Legislative Caucus of Liberia (WLCL).

A major highlight of the commemoration was the unveiling of a newly installed bust of Mahatma Gandhi on the lawn of the Embassy’s Chancery.

The Embassy said the bust is intended to serve as a lasting reminder of Gandhi’s philosophy and his call for humanity to choose peace over violence, love over hatred, dialogue over confrontation, compassion over indifference and service over self-interest.

Gandhi Jayanti, observed annually in India as the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi, is also commemorated by the United Nations as the International Day of Non-Violence.

Speaking at the ceremony, Indian Ambassador to Liberia Manoj Bihari Verma welcomed the Liberian lawmakers and other guests, describing their participation as a reflection of the growing partnership between India and Liberia.

Ambassador Verma also recalled Gandhi’s famous Talisman, which urges decision-makers to consider how their actions affect the poorest and most vulnerable members of society.

He said Gandhi’s philosophy remains relevant beyond India, emphasizing that his message belongs to humanity as a whole.

For Liberia’s disability community, however, the commemoration carried a more direct humanitarian significance.

As part of the celebration, medicines were donated to the clinic of the Group of 77 Disabled Center by members of the Indian pharmaceutical and business community in Liberia.

The contributions came from Abeer Pharmaceuticals, Lucky Pharmaceuticals, Bunty Pharmaceuticals and other members of the Indian community.

The donation was formally received on behalf of the Group of 77 Disabled Center by Senior Administrator Raymond Kolubah Zarbay Sr. and Deputy Health Services Director Fatu Sirleaf.

Zarbay, speaking on behalf of Madam Synleseh Stephenie Dahn Koung-Second Lady of Liberia and Executive Director of the Group of 77 Disabled Center, expressed appreciation to the Embassy of India, Ambassador Verma and the Indian business community for their support.

He said the donation followed engagements between the Center and the Embassy in November 2025 and September 2026, during which the needs of persons with disabilities and possible areas of cooperation were discussed.

According to him, the medicines will strengthen the Center’s capacity to provide healthcare services to persons with disabilities and surrounding communities.

He also reaffirmed the Center’s commitment to ensuring accountability and responsible distribution of the donated medical supplies.

The medicine donation, the Center said, represents more than material assistance, describing it as a demonstration of solidarity and friendship between the Indian and Liberian peoples.

The humanitarian gesture came as the Embassy concluded Seva Pakhwada, a fortnight-long service campaign observed from September 17 to October 2 by India and Indian diplomatic missions abroad.

During the campaign, Embassy officials participated in a Swachhata Pledge, beach-cleaning activities and the planting of coconut saplings under the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam initiative.

The Embassy said the campaign reflects the spirit of seva, or selfless service, which was central to Gandhi’s philosophy.

At the Gandhi Jayanti celebration, the connection between the philosophy of service and community action was further underscored through cultural performances by schoolchildren, including traditional dances and Gandhi’s favorite devotional songs, known as bhajans.

The program also featured reflections on Gandhi’s life and values and the singing of Vande Mataram.

Meanwhile, WLCL Chairperson Ellen A. Attoh-Wreh highlighted the continued relevance of Gandhi’s principles of peace, nonviolence, service, dialogue and reconciliation.

She said the values are particularly relevant to the work of legislators as they seek to promote inclusion, dialogue and peaceful resolution of differences.

The Liberian legislators’ participation also followed their recent South-South Peer Learning Mission to India from August 10–15, 2026, under an IBSA Fund-supported project titled “Women Legislators in Liberia: Promoting Voice, Leadership and Gender-Responsive Governance for Sustainable Development.”

The project is supported by the governments of India, Brazil and South Africa.

The Embassy of India also praised the Indian community in Liberia for its continued contribution to Liberia’s social and economic development and for helping strengthen the longstanding bonds between the two countries.

For the Group of 77 Disabled Center, the partnership signals an opportunity to deepen cooperation in healthcare, disability inclusion and community development.

The Center said it looks forward to strengthening its engagement with the Embassy of India and members of the Indian business community, particularly in addressing the healthcare and inclusion needs of persons with disabilities.

As Gandhi’s bust now stands at the Indian Embassy in Monrovia, the occasion served not only as a commemoration of his life, but also as a practical demonstration of one of the values associated with his legacy: service to humanity.