-Reeves Foundation Urges Government
By: G. Bennie Bravo Johnson, I.
The Reeves Foundation, through its Chief Executive Officer, Benedict E.E. Reeves, is calling on the Government of Liberia to take bold and urgent steps to prioritize women’s education, which he describes as key to unlocking the nation’s development potential.
The foundation which has been quietly but impactfully supporting women and girls in Logan Town and surrounding communities, emphasized the need for government intervention. Through the family’s self-funded initiative, the For Life Vocational School, the foundation continues to provide material and food assistance to dozens of disadvantaged young women and girls who otherwise have no access to education or basic support.
He asserted that if the government continues to neglect women’s education, it will be indirectly hindering Liberia’s progress.
“Women are the backbone of this country. If we keep neglecting their education, we are holding back Liberia’s progress. The government must do more—this cannot be left to a few volunteers and well-meaning citizens alone,” Reeves stated.
Speaking to Women Voices Newspaper, Mr. Reeves disclosed that his family is sponsoring women and girls across Liberia as part of their contribution to nation-building. However, he stressed that the government must take the lead by constructing specialized vocational schools for women.
Reeves lamented the increase in prostitution among young females, which he attributes to a lack of educational opportunities. He urged the government to prioritize female empowerment through education.
“We use our own salaries and small donations from friends abroad to keep girls in school. We even go into the ghettos to help children abandoned by young mothers involved in prostitution, with no means to educate them,” he said.
“We’re not asking for government support for our initiative—but we do want the government to make this a national priority.”
He added that educating or training a woman with a skill makes her self-reliant, enabling her to feed her family, keep her children in school, and support her community. Education, he said, gives women dignity and a voice.
Studies show that educated women are more likely to participate in civic life, avoid early marriages, and raise healthier, educated children. In Liberia—where poverty, illiteracy, and gender inequality are widespread—such outcomes are especially critical. Yet, access to education remains out of reach for many women and girls, especially in urban slums like Logan Town and rural communities.
Meanwhile, Mr. Reeves called on the Liberian government to invest significant resources in women’s education—not only at the primary level but also in adult literacy and technical/vocational training.
“The government should allocate special funding in the national budget to support community-based vocational schools and adult education programs targeting women,” he proposed. “We also need policies that help young mothers return to school, including the establishment of childcare centers and the provision of stipends.”
He criticized the limited funding currently allocated to the education sector and questioned whether political leaders truly grasp the long-term benefits of empowering women through learning.
“They make grand promises during campaign season, but when it’s time to allocate the budget, women’s education is sidelined,” Reeves lamented. “We need to change that mindset.”
As Liberia continues to grapple with economic and social challenges, Reeves strongly believes that a shift from reactive aid to proactive investment in education—especially for women—could be transformative.
“We’re not waiting for politicians to change everything. We’re doing our part. But imagine how many more lives we could transform if the government joined us in this fight,” he concluded.
