The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection on Thursday, May 15, 2025, convened a one-day orientation workshop in Monrovia to introduce the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP) to stakeholders in Montserrado County. The session focused on encouraging county-level ownership and promoting collaboration for the project’s successful implementation.

Funded through a blend of grants and loans totaling $44.6 million, LWEP is designed to benefit 70% women and 30% men across six counties. Its core goals include advancing gender equality, tackling gender-based violence, and expanding access to both education and economic opportunities for women and girls.

The workshop gathered approximately 40 participants from various government ministries and community structures. It served not only as an introduction to the project’s framework but also as a dialogue space for feedback and alignment.

Madam Lisa Diasay, who serves as the Communications, Community Engagement, and Beneficiary Feedback Mechanism Specialist at the LWEP Project Management Unit (PMU), stressed the critical nature of the funding structure. “This is not just money from the World Bank to be used freely,” she said. “It is both a grant and a loan, and the Government of Liberia will be responsible for repaying part of that loan.” She called for committed support from all parties, noting that failure to execute the project effectively could affect both individuals and the broader national interest.

In her remarks, Madam Elizabeth Gbah Johnson, Country Director of ActionAid Liberia, framed the workshop as more than just an orientation, “This is a space to align our efforts, build synergy, and create a shared vision for meaningful change in Montserrado County and the other five project counties,” she said. Emphasizing Montserrado’s influence, she added, “When Montserrado leads, the rest of the nation pays attention.” She referred to the project as a “bold, transformative initiative” designed to challenge inequality and promote women’s leadership.

The LWEP is being implemented by a consortium of non-governmental organizations led by Plan International Liberia. Other partners include ActionAid Liberia, Catholic Relief Services, Medica Liberia, KEEP Liberia, Foundation for Community Initiatives (FCI), Defense for Children International (DCI), VIAMO, and Rising Voices.

Local community leaders also voiced strong support. Madam Kou Dorkago, Chairlady of Todee District in Lower Montserrado County, described the initiative as a new dawn for women and encouraged all involved to approach the project with respect and dedication.

From the youth sector, Patrick F. Wee of the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) thanked the World Bank for its commitment and expressed FLY’s support for the project. He emphasized the role of women’s empowerment in challenging longstanding cultural barriers.

Mr. Amos Kanneh, representing the Ministry of Education, underscored LWEP’s potential impact on Liberia’s education system. “With this project, parents will be empowered to support their children’s education,” he said, highlighting its significance for enrollment and student retention.

As the lead implementing agency, the Gender Ministry will work closely with the Ministries of Agriculture, Health, Education, Finance, and Internal Affairs throughout the project’s rollout.