By: G Bennie Bravo Johnson, I.
The Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Hon. Gbeme Horace-Kollie, has issued a strong appeal for sustained and increased international support to Liberia’s Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda, calling it essential for the country’s long-term peace, stability, and inclusive development.
Speaking on Wednesday, May 28, 2025, at the United Nations Peace-building Commission in New York, Minister Horace-Kollie stressed that while Liberia has made measurable progress in promoting gender equality within its peace and security architecture, the gains remain fragile and require consistent global backing to be preserved and expanded.
In her address, the Minister emphasized that the WPS agenda is not merely a policy framework but a cornerstone of post-conflict recovery, social cohesion, and sustainable development.
“Empowering women to participate fully in peace-building and decision-making processes is not optional — it is a necessity for building a more resilient and democratic society,” she said.
She highlighted achievements such as the localization of the WPS framework, gender-responsive budgeting within security institutions, and the notable increase in female representation in the Armed Forces of Liberia — from 3% in 2019 to 7.5% in 2024. These results, she said, were made possible through targeted interventions like pre-recruitment training programs specifically designed to empower women and ensure equitable access to national security careers.
“The transformation we’re seeing is real, but it is also reversible if the necessary resources and political will are not sustained.” the Minister warned.
She noted that these gains were the product of strong partnerships with international actors, particularly through the support of the United Nations Peace-building Fund (UN PBF), UN Women, and key bilateral partners like the Government of Sweden.
She praised the Commission for its longstanding commitment to Liberia and commended the role of international cooperation in bolstering inclusive peace-building. Minister Horace-Kollie pointed to the historic appointment of Liberia’s first female Minister of National Defense as a breakthrough moment, demonstrating that women can lead effectively in sectors traditionally dominated by men.
However, the Minister also spoke candidly about the serious challenges facing Liberia’s WPS efforts. Chief among them, she said, is the persistent shortfall in domestic funding for gender equality and peace-building initiatives, which is exacerbated by global economic uncertainties and a troubling backlash against women’s rights worldwide.
“We are at a critical juncture where shrinking financial support, coupled with a global regression in women’s rights, threatens to stall or even reverse our progress. We must not allow momentum to falter — not when the stakes are this high.”
Minister Horace-Kollie framed Liberia’s bid for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council for 2026–2027 as a chance to showcase leadership and commitment to the WPS agenda on a global platform. She argued that Liberia’s candidacy would serve as a model for how post-conflict countries can advance gender equality while strengthening peace and governance.
“Liberia’s experience offers valuable lessons for other nations emerging from conflict. Our candidacy is not just symbolic; it represents a commitment to ensuring that women’s voices shape peace and security policies, both at home and on the global stage,” she declared.
She also reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to extending its current National Action Plan on WPS through the end of 2025. This extension, she explained, would ensure that women remain central to national transitional justice efforts, particularly their involvement with the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court and the ongoing review of the country’s National Security Strategy.
“As we look at the future, Liberia will continue to champion the values of inclusivity, accountability, and gender justice. But we cannot do it alone. Continued global solidarity and investment in the WPS agenda are critical,” she concluded.
The high-level session brought together global peace-building leaders, UN officials, and donor representatives to discuss the evolving role of the UN Peace-building Fund and reaffirm commitments to gender-inclusive peace-building in fragile and post-conflict countries.
Minister Horace-Kollie is part of Liberia’s official delegation currently in New York, actively lobbying for international support toward its candidacy for the UN Security Council and broader national peace-building goals.
