By Joseph Tumbey
Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, on Thursday, May 15, 2025, hosted a one-day orientation workshop in Monrovia aimed at informing Montserrado County stakeholders about the Liberia Women Empowerment Project and Promoting County-level ownership to ensure its successful implementation.
The LWEP, a $44.6 million initiative funded through a combination of grants and loans, targets 70% women and 30% men as beneficiaries across six counties in Liberia. The project seeks to promote gender equality, reduce gender-based violence, and expand access to education and economic opportunities for women and girls.
Approximately 40 participants from various line ministries and community leadership structures attended the workshop. The gathering served as both an orientation and an engagement forum on the LWEP’s goals and implementation strategies.
Speaking at the event, Madam Lisa Diasay, Communications, Community Engagement, and Beneficiary Feedback Mechanism Specialist at the LWEP Project Management Unit (PMU), emphasized that this initiative differs significantly from other World Bank-funded projects.
“This is not just money from the World Bank to be used freely,” she explained. “It is both a grant and a loan, and the Government of Liberia will be responsible for repaying part of that loan over the coming years.”
She encouraged participants to support the project wholeheartedly, stressing that its failure could have adverse implications for both individuals and the nation. Madam Diasay also noted that the Ministry of Gender will serve as the lead implementing agency, supported by the Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Education, Finance, and Internal Affairs.
In her opening remarks, Madam Elizabeth Gbah Johnson, Country Director of ActionAid Liberia, described the workshop as more than just an orientation.
“This is a space to align our efforts, build synergy, and create a shared vision for meaningful change in Montserrado County and the other five project counties,” she said.
Madam Johnson underscored Montserrado’s strategic importance in ensuring the project’s success due to its political and demographic weight. “When Montserrado leads, the rest of the nation pays attention,” she remarked.
She described the LWEP as a “bold, transformative initiative designed to break cycles of inequality, promote women’s leadership, and empower communities at every level.” The project is being implemented through a consortium of NGOs led by Plan International Liberia, with ActionAid Liberia, Catholic Relief Services, Medica Liberia, KEEP Liberia, Foundation for Community Initiatives (FCI), Defense for Children International (DCI), VIAMO, and Rising Voices as partners.
“This project is not just about service delivery; it’s about structural change, policy influence, and grassroots empowerment,” she added.
Madam Johnson called on traditional leaders, educators, youth groups, religious institutions, and other stakeholders to take full ownership of the project. “Your leadership, cultural wisdom, and local insight are key to ensuring that the interventions are relevant, inclusive, and sustainable,” she concluded.
In special remarks, Madam Kou Dorkago, Chairlady of Todee District in Lower Montserrado County, wholeheartedly welcomed the project, describing it as a new dawn for women in Montserrado. She urged all beneficiaries to treat the project with respect and dignity to ensure its goals are achieved.
Representative of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY), Patrick F. Wee, expressed gratitude to the World Bank for its commitment to uplifting Liberians out of poverty.
“We believe this great initiative will give our women the opportunity to challenge cultural practices that have long suppressed their well-being,” Patrick emphasized.
He pledged FLY’s full support to the LWEP, highlighting the importance of youth in its successful implementation. He also commended ActionAid Liberia for its longstanding role in youth empowerment, referring to the organization as a trusted partner of Liberian youth.
Speaking on behalf of the Ministry of Education, Mr. Amos Kanneh highlighted the LWEP’s potential to address key challenges in Liberia’s school system, particularly enrollment and retention of students.
“There are many parents who struggle to mobilize resources to send their children—especially girls—to school. With this project, we believe parents will be empowered to support their children’s education,” he said. “You can count on us for support whenever you need us.”
The LWEP orientation workshop in Montserrado County reflects a critical step in establishing a participatory and locally grounded foundation for project success. By engaging key actors across multiple sectors, government ministries, local leaders, youth groups, and education officials, the project is cultivating a diverse coalition of ownership and accountability.
Comments are closed.