-A Feature on the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection’s Engagement
By Siatta Scott Johnson
On February 19-20, 2026, regional leaders and gender advocates across West Africa gathered in Accra, Ghana, for a pivotal regional consultation on political participation and leadership of women and youth, a flagship event marking the Economic Community of West African States’ (ECOWAS) 50th anniversary Legacy Project on Gender Parity in Elected Bodies (2025–2035). This initiative is designed to accelerate gender equality in political representation across member states by advocating for reforms and model laws that will promote women’s inclusion in elected offices and leadership positions by 2035.
At the heart of Liberia’s engagement in this regional project is Hon. Gbeme Horace-Kollie, Liberia’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection. In her leadership capacity, she has been an active voice in aligning Liberia’s national gender equality agenda with ECOWAS’ regional vision. Not only did Hon. Gbeme Horace-Kollie present the technical recommendation on reforms, quotas, and capacity building tools for women’s political participation and youth leadership in West Africa at the Accra consultation, the Ministry of Gender and Children Social Protection has been instrumental in national policies and collaborations that reflect the objectives of the Legacy Project.
Convened under the auspices of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the consultation brought together policymakers, gender advocates, and regional stakeholders to strengthen frameworks that promote the meaningful participation of women and youth in political processes and decision-making.
Liberia used the platform to reaffirm its commitment to expanding political space for women and young leaders Liberia used the platform to reaffirm its commitment to, strengthening legal and institutional mechanisms that support gender equality, promoting inclusive democratic governance across West Africa
“We believe that empowering women and youth in leadership is not only a matter of fairness — it is essential to sustainable peace, democratic stability, and regional development”. Hon. Horace-Kollie added speaking to local media.
The Legacy Project and Liberia’s Participation
The Legacy Project, which underscores a shared regional vision that gender parity is essential to sustainable development, peace, and democratic progress is conceptualized as part of ECOWAS’ golden jubilee celebrations, aims to build on five decades of democratic governance by prioritizing gender parity in elected bodies throughout the region.
The initiative encompasses several strategic goals which include Advocacy for Legislative Reforms encouraging member states to adopt laws and frameworks that enhance women’s representation in political leadership, model law adoption, a development of a regional guide or model law that can be tailored by individual countries to institutionalize gender parity commitments and capacity-building and dialogue leading to facilitating regional consultations, ministerial meetings, and high-level advocacy spaces where officials, gender experts, and civil society can shape effective political participation strategies.
Liberia stands resolute in translating commitments into action and ensuring that women are fully represented in shaping the future of our nation and region.
At the regional consultation in Accra, gender focal persons and experts from ECOWAS member countries — including Liberia — worked with counterparts to map pathways for stronger legislative frameworks that center women’s voices in politics. This technical meeting was followed by plans for a ministerial roundtable and advocacy sessions to bring the conversations to the political leadership level.
Liberia’s National Context and the Gender Ministry’s Leadership
While Liberia’s share of women in elective positions remains modest, consistent with wider regional trends, the Ministry of Gender has been central in national efforts to advance women’s empowerment and inclusion. Under Minister Horace-Kollie’s stewardship, Liberia has launched initiatives like the National Policy Dialogue Platform on Gender Equality to strengthen policy reforms addressing barriers to women’s participation in governance.
Liberia is also actively engaged with the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre (EGDC) — the regional body driving gender equality programs across West Africa — with the Minister representing Liberia in collaborative networks and regional platforms promoted by the EGDC.
Why This Matters
Liberia’s involvement in the ECOWAS Legacy Project
signals the country’s commitment to regional solidarity in closing gender gaps in political representation. By partnering through ECOWAS platforms, aligning national policy direction with regional standards, and participating in high-level dialogues and consultations, Liberia is helping shape a future where women and men have equal opportunities to serve in elected positions across West Africa.
Looking Ahead
The Legacy Project’s success will depend on member states’ sustained efforts to translate regional commitments into concrete legal and institutional reforms. Liberia’s proactive stance — championed by its gender ministry — means the country is positioned not just as a participant, but as an active contributor to the collective vision of gender parity in elected bodies by 2035.
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