By Precious D. Freeman
Plan International Liberia has commenced a three-day onboarding workshop for partners involved in the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP).
The workshop, which began on March 10, 2025, aims to align all stakeholders with the project’s goals, procedures, and donor compliance requirements to ensure effective implementation.
Plan International Liberia, serving as the lead service provider, will implement the 36-month Liberia Women Empowerment Project in collaboration with six association members—Catholic Relief Services (CRS), ActionAid Liberia, Medica Liberia, Defence for Children International (DCI), Foundation for Community Initiatives (FCI), and Kids Educational Engagement Project (KEEP).
Additionally, two professional service providers, Raising Voices and VIAMO, will offer technical support.
The project is funded by the World Bank through Liberia’s Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection. Its primary aim is to enhance women’s empowerment by addressing harmful social norms, improving livelihoods, and strengthening national institutions.
The Liberia Women Empowerment Project is valued at US$ 36.6 million and is scheduled to run from 2024 to September 2027.
Of the total budget, US$ 18.6 million is allocated for project implementation, while US$ 18 million will be disbursed as grants to support partner organizations and beneficiaries.
The project focuses on five key components: Social Norms & Community Mobilization: Tackling gender inequality and intimate partner violence (IPV) at the community level.
Health & Education: Piloting services related to gender-based violence (GBV) and adolescent sexual and reproductive health (ASRH), while also addressing early marriage, pregnancy, and girls’ education through school-led initiatives.
Economic & Social Empowerment: Supporting women’s livelihoods and providing grants through a community-driven, group-based approach.
Institutional Strengthening: Enhancing the capacity of Liberia’s gender institutions to better support women’s issues.
Project Management: Ensuring effective coordination and oversight to achieve the project’s objectives.
The project will be rolled out in six counties: Rural Montserrado, Bomi, Gbarpolu, Cape Mount, River Cess, and Grand Gedeh. It aims to directly benefit 200 women and impact 36 communities across these counties.
Speaking at the workshop, Abdulai Sheriff, Project Director for LWEP, emphasized the significance of the project:
“This 36-month project will not only minimize gender-based violence but also improve the economic status of women and girls in Liberia. With US$ 18 million set aside for grants, women in these six counties will have the opportunity to start or expand small businesses, contributing to overall community development,” Sheriff stated.
He stressed that LWEP is not a grant but a loan, which underscores the importance of accountability and proper fund utilization:
“Since the government is responsible for repaying the loan, every dollar must be accounted for, and the project’s impact must be evident in the lives of women and girls.”
Sheriff highlighted that the success of the project depends on the commitment and accountability of all partners.
He urged participants to take ownership of the project and work diligently to ensure that the objectives are met:
“We must demonstrate measurable impact to secure future funding opportunities and establish Liberia as a model for women’s empowerment in the region,” he added.
The onboarding workshop marks a critical step toward the successful rollout of the Liberia Women Empowerment Project, reinforcing Liberia’s commitment to advancing gender equality and improving the socio-economic well-being of women and girls.