-In Major Empowerment Drive by the Government
By G Bennie Bravo Johnson, I
The Government of Liberia has taken a major step toward advancing women’s economic empowerment with the official disbursement of livelihood cash grants valued at US$137,000 to women-led businesses and groups in Gbarpolu and Rural Montserrado Counties. The support comes under the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP), a US$44.6 million initiative designed to reduce poverty, strengthen community resilience, and uplift rural women across the country.
The initial disbursement benefits 1,273 people across three categories—Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), Individual Women-led Enterprises (IEs), and Farmers-Based Organizations (FBOs). Of this number, 972 are women, representing 76.4 percent, while 301 are men, accounting for 23.6 percent.
In total, 43 groups have begun receiving grants, including 30 VSLAs, 10 IEs, and 3 FBOs. In Gbarpolu County’s Bopolu, Bokomu, and Gbarma Districts, beneficiaries include 16 VSLAs, 6 IEs, and 3 FBOs. In Rural Montserrado’s Careysburg, Todee, and St. Paul River Districts, 14 VSLAs and 4 IEs are currently benefiting. Another batch of 8 groups—comprising 6 IEs and 2 FBOs—are set to receive machinery and equipment valued at US$30,500 to boost productivity and expand value chains.
The grants are being disbursed in two installments, with the current payments representing 50 percent of the total approved amounts. The remaining 50 percent will be released following verification of proper fund utilization. Payments range from US$1,000 to US$8,000 per group and are intended to support community savings, business expansion, and agricultural development. Projects funded under the program are required to be innovative, climate-smart, and income-generating, with a focus on strengthening food security and promoting long-term sustainability.
Officials emphasized that accountability and transparency will be strictly enforced. Beneficiaries are expected to provide regular progress updates and financial reports to ensure the grants achieve their intended impact.
The Liberia Women Empowerment Project is a five-year program (2022–2027) that will reach 267,200 people across 498 communities in six counties—Rural Montserrado, Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, Rivercess, and Grand Gedeh. By its completion, an estimated 36,000 women-led businesses are expected to receive US$18 million in livelihood grants under Component 3 of the project. The initiative directly supports the Government of Liberia’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
Beyond cash disbursements, significant progress has already been recorded across LWEP’s four key components. Under Component 1, which focuses on fostering positive social norms, 137 Community Activists and 93 Community Leaders have been recruited to lead grassroots dialogues on gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and harmful practices. Twenty-four stigma-reduction dialogues have been conducted, while 340 community influencers—including traditional leaders, youth, women, and persons with disabilities—have been engaged in advocacy for gender equality.
Component 2, dedicated to enhancing basic services and keeping girls in school, has so far engaged more than 20,000 individuals in safety audits and community conversations aimed at improving protection for women and girls. Ninety-six schools in Rural Montserrado and Gbarpolu have been mapped for targeted interventions, including mentorship, health clubs, and girl-centered programs. Pre- and post-surveys from these interventions show a 60 percent positive shift in attitudes away from harmful norms such as justifying violence or victim-blaming.
Under Component 3, focused on livelihoods and grants, more than 20,000 individuals—72 percent of them women—have been mobilized for economic activities. Over 1,000 beneficiaries, 83 percent of whom are women, have completed training in business and financial management to enhance sustainability in enterprise management.
Component 4, which strengthens public institutions to advance gender equality, has seen the launch of a national baseline survey, the initiation of a countrywide GBV service mapping, and the development of a five-year strategic plan for the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection. Participatory trainings on gender-responsive budgeting and social inclusion have also been rolled out for line ministries, while key committees have been inaugurated to champion legal reforms and policy dialogues on gender equality.
The Ministry noted that the launch of these grants represents more than financial support. It described the initiative as a historic step toward advancing women’s economic empowerment, strengthening household resilience, and driving community-centered development. The government reaffirmed its commitment to align the project with the Sustainable Development Goals and the Beijing+30 Platform for Action, pledging to work closely with partners to ensure measurable impact across Liberia.
Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie emphasized that investing in women-led businesses is key to building sustainable growth and achieving long-term social transformation.
