By Vaye Abel Lepolu
Monrovia, Liberia – As Liberia joins the world in observance of the International Women’s Day, several international development partners have urged Liberian leaders to accelerate commitments and intensify efforts toward achieving gender equality across all sectors of society.
The event, which brought together the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, international organizations, and local women’s advocacy groups over the weekend, served as a dual-purpose gathering. It honored the strength, resilience, and significant contributions of Liberian women to national development while casting a sharp focus on the critical work that remains to dismantle systemic barriers.
Throughout the program, a recurring message urged women to remain united and persistent in advocating for their rights and for expanded access to leadership roles, economic opportunities, and decision-making platforms. World Bank Liberia Country Director Madam Georgia Walleh underscored the transformative power of solidarity, stating that when women uplift one another, the entire nation grows stronger.
“Let us celebrate ourselves and continue to stand for what is right,” Walleh said. “When women come together, we can achieve great things for our country.”
Representatives from key international partners—including the World Bank, the United Nations, ECOWAS, and the European Union—reaffirmed their collective commitment to supporting Liberia’s gender equality agenda.
Walleh congratulated the Government and people of Liberia on the occasion and highlighted the World Bank’s ongoing support for programs designed to expand opportunities for women and girls. She emphasized that empowering women through access to education, healthcare, economic resources, and leadership is essential for reducing poverty and strengthening the nation’s social and economic fabric.
Despite these commitments, speakers acknowledged the deep-seated challenges that persist for many women and girls in Liberia. UN Resident Coordinator Madam Christiane Umutoni, alongside ECOWAS Representative in Liberia Madam Josephine Nkrumah, pointed to the continuing hurdles of economic inequality, gender-based violence, early marriage, and limited access to quality education and healthcare.
In response to these realities, the international partners collectively called on national leaders and policymakers to not only strengthen protective laws and programs but to actively work to increase women’s participation in all decision-making processes. The representatives pledged continued collaboration with the Government of Liberia and local stakeholders to advance women’s rights and ensure that equal opportunities become a lived reality for all Liberians.
