By Jessica Cox
The Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection, with special support from the World Bank held its second policy dialogue on February 5, 2026. The event’s primary goal centers around building consensus and accelerating action on critical legal reforms, especially the women and girls protection bill that is currently before the national legislature.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information’s regular press briefing, Deputy Minister for Press and Public Affairs Daniel Sando revealed that the dialogue focuses on creating an advocacy roadmap and securing legislative champions to ensure the passage of the bill. According to him the second national policy dialogue is part of ongoing reform, including the bills on female genital mutilation, prohibition, Legal Aid, and electoral amendment.
He said the initiative aligns and supports the government and ARREST agenda, specifically its human capital development pillar, which focuses on the protection and equality for women and girls.
The dialogue follows earlier policy engagements held in May and December 2024, during which participants identified priority reforms including the Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Prohibition Bill, the Legal Aid Service Bill, and amendments to Liberia’s electoral laws to increase women’s representation in the Legislature.
With the Women and Girls Protection Bill now submitted to the National Legislature by the President, the Ministry is intensifying advocacy efforts to ensure its timely passage. Deputy Minister Sando also mentioned that a high-level delegation from the International Organization for Migration met with the gender minister. Their discussion focused on a proposed cross-border women empowerment initiative for the Mano River region an initiative that aims to empower women, girls, youth, and persons with disabilities through skills development, economic opportunities, and stronger regional collaboration among border communities.
Additionally, the Minister of Gender welcomed the IOM team and reaffirmed Liberia’s commitment to a partnership that advances women’s economic inclusion and regional cooperation aligned with the government’s gender equality and development goals.
The occasion was attended by lawmakers, government officials, development partners, civil society, actors, and advocates.
In another development, Deputy Minister Sando also clarified the government’s position on regulating international shipping emissions. He refuted recent online publications suggesting that Liberia plans to impose a carbon levy on international shipping as of March 1, 2026. Sando reaffirms the government’s support for the established international legal framework governing greenhouse gas emissions from ships through the International Maritime Organization.
