-As Liberia Celebrates IWD
By: Sampat JMB Kpakimah
The Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Gbeme Horace-Kollie, has reaffirmed the government’s dedication to advancing gender equality and empowering women across Liberia, as the nation joined the global community in commemorating International Women’s Day (IWD) on March 8, 2026.
Speaking at the national celebration in Monrovia, Minister Horace-Kollie emphasized the significance of both the global theme, “Give to Gain,” and the national theme, “Give to Gain: Support Women for National Development.” She described the theme as a compelling call for greater investment in women and girls, framing it not as charity, but as a strategic pathway to sustainable national development.
According to the Minister, investing in women is a critical driver of economic growth, community resilience, and national progress. She provided a brief historical context, noting that International Women’s Day was formally recognized by the United Nations in 1977 through Resolution 32/142, which proclaimed March 8 as a day to honor women’s contributions worldwide and reflect on the ongoing struggle for equality, justice, and peace.
For Liberia, the Minister noted, the day also serves as a powerful reminder of the pivotal role women have played in shaping the nation’s history. From leading peace movements that helped end years of civil conflict to making significant contributions in governance, education, healthcare, and community development, Liberian women have been at the forefront of change.
Despite these contributions, Minister Horace-Kollie acknowledged that significant gender disparities remain. While women form the backbone of Liberia’s informal economy and own an estimated 55 percent of small businesses, they continue to face systemic barriers. Women earn, on average, 15 percent less than their male counterparts, and fewer than five percent are employed in the formal sector.
Political representation also remains a critical area of concern. As of 2025, women hold only 11 percent of the seats in the National Legislature, a figure far below the Sub-Saharan African average of 27.2 percent. This underrepresentation, the Minister stressed, highlights the urgent need for greater inclusion of women in national decision-making processes.
To tackle these challenges, the Minister outlined several key initiatives spearheaded by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection:
– Liberia Women’s Empowerment Project (LWEP): This flagship national program is designed to combat harmful social norms, expand women’s access to livelihoods, and strengthen institutional capacity. To date, the project has distributed 88 livelihood grants, benefiting 3,667 women through village savings and loan associations, individual enterprises, and farmer-based organizations. The initiative is set to expand into Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, River Cess, and Grand Gedeh counties, with the goal of reaching an additional 32,666 women.
– REALISE Project: Since 2025, this social protection program has provided cash transfers to over 13,000 female-headed households across 22 districts, 39 clans, and 529 communities. Targeting a total of 16,525 households nationwide, the project aims to improve income opportunities, reduce poverty, and enhance food security among vulnerable populations.
– Strengthening Government Inclusivity: The Ministry has overseen a significant expansion of Gender, Social and Inclusion Units (GSIUs) within government institutions. The number of these units has grown from nine between 2024 and 2025 to 42 nationwide, with plans to establish 20 additional units this year. These units are tasked with promoting fairness, protecting human rights, and addressing gender-based discrimination in the public sector.
– Legislative and Economic Empowerment: The Minister revealed that the Ministry continues to advocate for the passage of the Women and Girls Protection Act, recently hosting a second policy dialogue with stakeholders to develop a roadmap for its enactment. Concurrently, efforts are underway to support women entrepreneurs and street vendors through the establishment of Young Women Training Centers, beginning in Lofa and Bong counties. These centers will provide Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) opportunities. Additionally, “Peace Huts” are being created to strengthen women’s leadership in peacebuilding and community dialogue.
Minister Horace-Kollie also used the platform to call for justice in ongoing investigations into alleged sexual abuse cases involving minors. She urged the Liberia National Police to ensure that all efforts are made to identify the perpetrators and bring them to justice swiftly. In her closing remarks, the Minister expressed profound appreciation to international partners, development agencies, civil society organizations, and local stakeholders for their continued support in advancing gender equality and strengthening social protection systems in Liberia.
