Lofa, Salayea — The Multi-Stakeholder Forest Governance and Accountability Project (MFGAP) celebrated International Women’s Day in the Salayea Authorized Community Forest (SACF), highlighting the significant contributions of women to society and encouraging them to take bold steps in competing with men positively.
By Prince T. Mulbah, Contributing Writer
The celebration, which took place over the weekend, was part of a three-day Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) Awareness Training for SACF leadership and local District Internal Affairs officials in Salayea City.
MFGAP’s Gender and Social Advocacy Officer, Madam Dorothy Toomahn, addressed the gathering, providing a brief history of the global recognition of women’s rights, tracing the roots back to 1977 when the United Nations first acknowledged International Women’s Day.
She emphasized that the progress women have made in securing voting rights and the right to run for office came through years of advocacy and struggle.
“It is through our struggle that past and present democratic governments granted women the right to vote and to be elected,” Toomahn stated.
Toomahn also highlighted MFGAP’s ongoing work with communities in the SACF area, aiming to ensure that women, children, and people with disabilities benefit fairly from forest resources. She stressed the importance of accountable leadership that bridges the gender gap and eliminates stereotypes.
“The essence of celebrating this day is to unite women, empower them to become active citizens, and ensure their voices are heard in decisions affecting their communities and the country,” Toomahn added.
Madam Yassah Mulbah, Chief Officer of the SACF, also spoke during the event, praising the progress made by the SACF with MFGAP’s support. Since its establishment in 2019, the SACF has achieved several milestones, including the ownership of a modern rice mill, a wood shop, pig farms, and the construction of a guest house.
Other achievements include the formation of Village Savings Loan Associations (VLSAs), training farmers in sustainable harvesting of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs), and establishing Forest Guards.
“Through our Village Saving Loan Associations, our women initially raised 100,000 LRD, and now they have raised 400,000 LRD through agricultural activities, oil and bean farming, all with MFGAP’s support,” Yassah proudly shared.
The SACF, covering 8,270 hectares, will soon be demarcated into specific zones, including Agriculture, Core, and Multi-purpose zones, through consultations and support from MFGAP. Yassah also noted the challenges posed by farming and mining activities in the community forest, particularly by citizens and alluvial miners.
These challenges have hampered efforts to prioritize conservation for sustainable natural resource management in Liberia.
However, SACF’s continued development is seen as a model for sustainable management in the region, second only to the Wonegizi Protected Area in Zorzor District, which is managed jointly by the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) and local communities.
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