By: Laymah Kollie
MONROVIA, Liberia — A group of young Liberian women has officially begun a four-month legislative mentorship and internship programme aimed at preparing them for future leadership, policymaking, and meaningful participation in governance.
The initiative, implemented by the Women Legislators’ Caucus of Liberia (WLCL) in partnership with the Young Women Political Council of Liberia, with support from UN Women through the IBSA Fund, officially commenced with an orientation workshop and familiarization tour of the Capitol Building on Thursday, October 29, 2026.
Speaking about the significance of the exercise, Laura Targbeh Korvah, Director of the Young Women Legislative Mentorship and Internship Initiative, said the orientation was designed to equip the selected mentees with essential knowledge and skills to understand Liberia’s legislative processes and professional working environment.
“Today marks the official beginning of an important journey for these young women. Through this initiative, we want to expose them to the legislative environment, strengthen their leadership capacities, and provide them with practical experiences that will prepare them to become future leaders and advocates for inclusive governance in Liberia,” Korvah said.
During the visit, the mentees toured the Capitol Building, interacted with women legislators, and visited various legislative offices as part of efforts to familiarize them with the operations of the Legislature.
Among the lawmakers they met were Hon. Yonblee Lawrence and Hon. Dabah Varpilah, alongside staff members from the offices of legislators.
Korvah explained that the engagements provided the young women with opportunities to connect directly with women in legislative leadership and gain firsthand exposure to the environment in which they will undertake their internships.
“The opportunity to meet with women legislators and interact with their staff is very important. It allows the mentees to learn directly from women who are actively involved in legislative leadership and to understand the responsibilities, challenges, and opportunities that come with public service,” she noted.
The selected mentees will be assigned to the offices of members of the Women Legislators’ Caucus of Liberia, where they will receive mentorship and practical guidance throughout the four-month internship period.
According to Korvah, the programme is intended to bridge the gap between young women’s interest in leadership and their practical understanding of governance and legislative work.
“For the next four months, these young women will have the opportunity to learn, observe, participate, and build professional relationships. We believe that meaningful exposure and mentorship can help prepare them to take on leadership roles and contribute to decision-making processes in our country,” she added.
She further emphasized that the initiative goes beyond providing internship opportunities, describing it as an investment in the leadership potential of young Liberian women.
“The girls you see here are not just interns; they are young women with the potential to shape Liberia’s future. Our responsibility is to create opportunities for them, equip them with the necessary skills, and ensure that they have access to spaces where decisions affecting our society are made,” Korvah stated.
The orientation workshop covered key areas including legislative processes, professional conduct, mentorship, and leadership development. These sessions are expected to help the mentees navigate their new working environments and maximize the learning opportunities available to them.
The programme also seeks to strengthen young women’s participation in governance by creating direct connections between emerging female leaders and experienced women legislators.
The Women Legislators’ Caucus of Liberia, through its partnership with the Young Women Political Council of Liberia and support from UN Women via the IBSA Fund, is implementing the initiative as part of broader efforts to promote women’s leadership, mentorship, and participation in public decision-making.
With the commencement of the four-month programme, the organizers hope the mentees will emerge with enhanced professional skills, practical legislative knowledge, and the confidence to contribute to Liberia’s governance and democratic development.
