Monrovia—Sister Aid Liberia, a non-governmental organization funded by UN Women through Irish Aid, is implementing significant activities under its project titled “Promoting Gender Transformative and Positive Masculinity through Training and Mentorship.”
By Francis G. Boayue
The first phase of this training is being conducted in Nimba, Gbarpolu, and Bomi. The beneficiaries include local government officials, women, and male stakeholders. The objective of the Gender Transformative and Positive Masculinity training is to enhance understanding of masculinity, its construction and reinforcement, and its connection with women’s underrepresentation in leadership and decision-making.
The training aims to reflect on gender inequality and power imbalances by analyzing masculinity, challenge harmful masculine norms and practices to foster critical reflection and change, and identify personal steps and commitments to promote gender equality and equal participation in politics and peace-building.
Participants, including chief elders, community heads, paramount chiefs, Grand Zoe, and County Cultural Coordinators, were actively engaged in the training sessions. During one of the trainings, Commissioner Christiana Contaye of Doe Administrative District, Nimba County, urged Sister Aid Liberia to conduct more of these capacity-building initiatives to enhance community-based leadership and behavioral change approaches.
“We need more of this transformative training from Sister Aid Liberia to ensure behavioral and leadership change,” she stated.
Additionally, the trainings held simultaneously in Nimba, Bomi, and Gbarpolu focused on appointed women leaders, aspirants, and past candidates. These women were trained in Transformative Leadership, Communication, and Strategic Planning. The objectives of this training are to empower 100 appointed women leaders and 75 emerging women leaders to lead with confidence and purpose, improve their communication skills to effectively convey ideas and inspire others, enhance their public speaking abilities to articulate ideas confidently and influence stakeholders, and equip them with strategic planning tools to set goals and make informed decisions that drive leadership success.
Results
Following these trainings, women leaders, male stakeholders, community actors, past candidates, and female aspirants committed to addressing leadership crises, particularly gender inequality in decision-making processes. Participants were also equipped with conflict resolution and peace mediation skills. Moreover, beneficiaries designed strategic action plans to engage their communities through awareness and stakeholder dialogue.
Organization background
Sister Aid Liberia (SALI) is a national non-governmental organization. SALI is a women-led NGO that combats inequality, poverty, and human rights abuses against women and girls.
SALI promotes the rights of young women and girls in political participation and leadership, prevents all forms of violence against women and girls, advocates for the adoption and enactment of women-friendly policies and laws, and furthers research, learning, and innovations. SALI’s core programs include rights advocacy and empowerment, leadership and capacity building, and climate justice and women’s land Rights.
Liberia: CDC Security Guard Arrested for Allegedly Duping Several in Fake Security Recruitment Process in Nimba County
By: Franklin Doloquee
Ganta, Nimba County—The Deputy Director for Training Division of the former ruling Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) Special Aide Commandant Vice President Security Network ( V- Network) has been arrested in Ganta, Nimba County, for allegedly being involved in a fake recruitment process of several persons into state security apparatus in Liberia.
Suspect Frederick R. Walker, 52, was nabbed while carrying out the recruitment process in the county.
Suspect Walker is reported to have been involved in the solicitation of cash from his victims to enlist them into various state security agencies, including the Liberia Immigration Service ( LIS), Liberia National Police (LNP), Liberia Drug Enforcement Agency (LDEA), Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and the National Security Agency (NSA).
The victims of the dubious deal told FPA that suspect Walker allegedly took $400 (Four Hundred United States Dollars) from each of the more than 20 victims as recruitment fees.
The Sam Kollie Guest House in Ganta is alleged to have been used by suspect Walker to defraud his victims. The management of the guest house admitted to FrontpageAfrica of Walker used the facility early June of this year until he was apprehended on July 11, 2024.
Suspect Walker’s arrest was triggered by a search and seizure warrant obtained from the Ganta Magisterial Court.
During the search of the room of suspect Walker, he was seen with a Nigerian woman along with two children and an Armed Forces of Liberia personnel who was found with several uniforms belonging to the Armed Forces of Liberia, Police, Immigration, Liberia Drugs Enforcement Agency and 15 rounds of single barrel gun and several photographs of victims among others.
