BARCLAY TRAINING CENTER, Monrovia – The Ministry of National Defense and UN Women-Liberia have signed a two-year partnership agreement under the Elsie Initiative Fund to support the recruitment and deployment of more female personnel in the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).
By Gerald C. Koinyeneh, [email protected]
The agreement, signed on Monday at the Barclay Training Center, is aimed at enhancing gender inclusion within the AFL and promoting Liberia’s participation in United Nations peacekeeping missions. It will also support the upcoming nationwide recruitment drive, which encourages more Liberian women to enlist in the army.
Under the partnership, the project will focus on increasing the number of female personnel in the AFL, providing pre-deployment training for both male and female officers, promoting gender awareness and equality within the force, establishing and equipping a pre-deployment training center, conducting national recruitment campaigns targeting women, visiting secondary and tertiary institutions to encourage young women to pursue military careers, strengthening the AFL’s Gender Department and developing a comprehensive communication strategy.
Speaking during the signing ceremony, UN Women-Liberia Country Representative Madam Comfort Lamptey said the fund—valued at slightly over US$650,000 for two years beginning January 2026—will support recruitment messaging in all 15 counties, equip training facilities, and enhance digital literacy for female soldiers.
She emphasized that the initiative positions Liberia as a trailblazer in advancing women’s participation in peace and security, especially as the country prepares to serve as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council.
“This project puts Liberia as a trailblazer for women’s presence and contributions to peace and security,” Madam Lamptey said, praising the leadership of the Defense Minister and the AFL Chief of Staff for their commitment.
She added that a recent human rights assessment conducted on the AFL produced positive results, leading to the project’s approval under the Elsie Initiative Fund.
For her part, Defense Minister Brigadier General Geraldine Janet George (Rtd.) thanked UN Women for the support and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to ensuring gender balance within the military.
She credited former Defense Minister Daniel Ziankan and former AFL Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Prince C. Johnson III for initiating the partnership, noting that it aligns with the government’s broader vision of inclusivity in national defense.
“We will continue to work together to ensure the welfare of women in the AFL,” Minister George said. “As the first female Defense Minister, I am committed to leading the campaign to encourage young Liberian women to serve their country with pride.”
Minister George disclosed that discussions are ongoing with the AFL leadership to consider an all-female recruitment drive in the near future, further strengthening women’s representation in the armed forces.
Also speaking, AFL Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Davidson Forleh expressed gratitude to UN Women and assured that the fund will be utilized efficiently. He announced plans for exclusive pre-recruitment training for females ahead of the national recruitment exercise.
The collaboration builds on a previous effort between the AFL and UN Women. In September 2022, both institutions conducted a barrier assessment using the Measuring Opportunities for Women in Peace Operations (MOWIP) methodology developed by the Geneva Centre for Security Sector Governance (DCAF). The assessment identified several challenges limiting women’s participation in UN peace operations, including access to equipment, childcare services, and systemic gender barriers.
The new partnership seeks to address those challenges and make the AFL a model for gender inclusion in the region.
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