By Patrick N. Tokpah
In an effort to empower women in Liberia, a local organization under the banner ‘Community Development and Research Agency (CODRA)’ has launched vocational training programs in Gbarnga to support women with the necessary skills and opportunities to strengthen self-resilience and sustainability.
CODRA is a non-governmental and not-for-profit organization based in Bong County, Liberia and is registered under the Association Law of Liberia as a Charity; it works in the areas of community development and research.
Speaking at the launching ceremony of the project in Gbarnga, Bong County on April 10, 2023, CODRA Executive Director, Lasanah A. Dukuly, said training is part of a project in preparing women and girls for disaster management.
He said the project is to improve women’s economic outlook, strengthen their voices so that they can advocate for their participation in humanitarian and crisis response, planning, and program at the county, district and community levels.
According to the CODRA Executive Director, he will also work with the three counties to develop a county disaster management and response plan that is gender sensitive and responsive.
Mr. Dukuly revealed that based on an assessment in the three counties, CODRA found out that the plans the counties have are not gender sensitive and responsive, as a result, women are less considered in humanitarian response even though they are the most victims of disaster related issues.
Mr. Dukuly said acquiring these skills will help in the collective development and rebuilding of the three counties and noted that beneficiaries need to be committed as the three counties depend on them to make use of the skills they will learn during the training.
The CODRA Executive Director further revealed that training is funded by the United Nations agency called Women’s Peace and Humanitarian Fund (WPHF) through UN Women Liberia.
The ongoing project plans to provide skill training to 400 women from Bong, Nimba and Margibi Counties. The area of the skill being provided include tailoring, Soap Making, Bleach (Clora and detergent).
The training sessions will last for one year and trainees who complete the targeted courses and meet the key requirements on various vocational skills will be provided grants in the form of village saving loans.
Mr. Dukuly told the selected beneficiaries to use the opportunity provided to them and in return, they can be opportunity creators in their communities.
For their part, some beneficiaries of the project lauded CODRA for the opportunity provided to them staying they have vowed to take complete ownership of the empowerment training for the over betterment of their lives and children.
