…Liberia Reaffirms Trailblazer Role in Promoting Gender Equality
By Amos Harris
In a powerful stride toward advancing gender equality and women’s and girls’ empowerment, Liberia’s Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), in collaboration with UN Women, hosted a pivotal Post-CSW69 National Dialogue on Friday, July 11, 2025. The event, held under the theme “Accelerating Implementation of the Beijing+30 Action Agenda for Women and Girls” at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, brought together high-level representatives from government institutions, civil society organizations, international partners, and the diplomatic community. The gathering served to assess Liberia’s progress and reaffirm its steadfast commitment to the global Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action.
The year 2025 marks the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, widely recognized as the most progressive global framework for achieving gender equality. Having actively participated in the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York in March, Liberia has proudly taken on a leadership mantle as a Trailblazer Country. In this crucial role, Liberia has committed to focusing on two key areas: Ending Violence Against Women and Girls (EVAWG) and Investing in Young People, Especially Adolescent Girls and Future Generations.
Speaking at the national dialogue, Deputy Minister for Gender Atty. Laura Galakeh expressed gratitude for Liberia’s participation in the Beijing+30 process and emphasized the nation’s obligation to translate policy commitments into tangible results. “As a country, we have made important strides since the Beijing Declaration, especially in ensuring our girls grow up free from violence and discrimination,” she noted. “We are proud to serve as a Trailblazer country, and we must align all national frameworks to this commitment.” Atty. Galakeh further stressed that national policies must be responsive to the realities women and girls face, particularly concerning sexual and gender-based violence, adolescent empowerment, and women’s inclusion in climate justice and digital development.
Esther David Yango, Executive Director of the Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), raised serious concerns about the continued practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in parts of Liberia. “FGM has no economic or health benefits; only trauma. Too many girls are forced into this harmful tradition. We need coordinated national action, and local NGOs are ready to be the foot soldiers in our communities,” Yango stated. She emphasized that NGOs must serve as community ambassadors for awareness, education, and grassroots mobilization against harmful traditional practices.
Representing the UN Women Country Office, Madam Priscina Wanjiru, Partnership and Coordination Officer, delivered remarks on behalf of Country Representative Comfort Lamptey. She stressed the paramount need for action over promises. “This is not about words on paper; it’s about achieving results. We must move from commitment to action, and we must do it together,” she urged, calling on all stakeholders to remain engaged and accountable to the Beijing+30 roadmap.
Lesley A. Mersah, Gender Advisor at the Embassy of Ireland, commended Liberia for its leadership and unwavering commitment to the Beijing+30 agenda. She praised the country’s bold steps in addressing gender inequality and reaffirmed Ireland’s steadfast support. “Ireland is proud to stand with Liberia. We remain committed to supporting national initiatives that uplift women and girls and ensure gender equality is not just a policy but a lived reality,” she stated.
As a Trailblazer nation, Liberia is taking a prominent role in the global recommitment to gender equality, aligning its national agenda accordingly to ensure that gender equality remains a cross-cutting priority across all sectors of governance and development. Friday’s dialogue concluded with a renewed sense of purpose among participants. As the country prepares to report progress ahead of the global Beijing+30 commemoration, stakeholders pledged to accelerate national implementation through collaborative programming, improved policy alignment, and community-based interventions. With support from UN Women, the Embassy of Ireland, and a robust network of NGOs, Liberia’s fight for gender justice is gaining significant momentum, setting a regional example of what is possible when political will, community action, and international solidarity unite for a common cause.
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