By Vaye A. Lepolu
vayelepolu446@gmail.com
Paynesville City – The Second Lady of the Republic of Liberia, Madam Synleseh Stephenie Dahn-Koung, has officially launched the Empower-Her Program, a transformative national initiative aimed at advancing the economic and social empowerment of women and girls living with disabilities.
Held at the Paynesville City Hall, the event brought together hundreds of participants, government officials, international partners, and members of civil society under the inspiring theme: “The Power of Self-Reliance: Empowering Women with Disabilities for a More Sustainable Future.”
The Empower-Her initiative builds on the success of the National Conference on the Status of Women Living with Disabilities, held in March 2025, which gathered over 1,500 women and key stakeholders. That historic gathering identified five priority areas—employment, health, education, social protection, and inclusion—as central to improving the lives of women with disabilities in Liberia.
Speaking at the launch, Madam Dahn-Koung described the Empower-Her Project as “a movement of transformation, dignity, and opportunity,” emphasizing that economic empowerment remains the foundation for true independence and equality.
“When women are empowered, they rise with dignity and autonomy. Empower-Her is not just about training—it is about transformation and sustainable change,” she said.
Out of more than 600 applicants, 257 women and girls with disabilities from all 17 districts of Montserrado County were selected to benefit from the program. They will undergo three months of vocational and entrepreneurship training in fields such as tailoring, catering, soap making, art and craft, and event decoration.
Each participant will receive a comprehensive startup kit and a micro-grant to begin or expand their business. The initiative is designed not only to teach practical skills but also to promote financial independence and long-term resilience among beneficiaries.
Partnerships and Training Centers
The training is being conducted at four major institutions:
The Group of 77 Vocational Training Center (Virginia Campus)
The Edward B. Kesselly Training Center (EBKTC)
The Monrovia Vocational Training Center (MVTC) in Paynesville
The Compassion Women’s Center in Fendell
To ensure sustainability, the program collaborates with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) Unit, and other partners to deliver financial literacy and business management training.
Each participant must present two verifiable character references before receiving their startup kits or grants, while an independent monitoring and evaluation team will track implementation progress and impact.
However, the Vice President Jeremiah K. Koung, who officially launched the Empower-Her Program, lauded the Second Lady for her leadership and compassion toward persons with disabilities. He urged beneficiaries to take their training seriously and use it as a foundation for lifelong self-reliance.
“Start small, manage well, and grow your businesses. What begins today as training will tomorrow become the source of dignity and livelihood for you and your families,” the Vice President encouraged.
According to Madam Dahn-Koung, Empower-Her aligns with the Government of Liberia’s ARREST Agenda and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs 1, 4, 5, 8, and 10). The initiative will soon expand to Grand Bassa, Nimba, Bong, and Grand Kru Counties, tailoring its approach to local realities and regional priorities.
International partners, including the Startup Grow Foundation of Morocco and AML Company pledged continued support. Speaking at the launch, the foundation’s president Madam Hanane Ait Aissa, and the AML representative praised Liberia’s commitment to empowering women and strengthening Africa’s network of women entrepreneurs.
“When women are given the right tools, they transform not just their lives but their communities and economies,” she said.
Meanwhile, as the program begins implementation, hopes are high that Empower-Her will set a new standard for inclusion, transparency, and sustainable development. The initiative represents more than a social program—it is a bold statement that no woman should be left behind in Liberia’s journey toward equality and progress.
