By Precious D. Freeman
The Ministry of Justice, through its Gender and Social Inclusion Unit (GSIU), has formally launched its Gender Policy and Five-Year Action Plan marking a significant milestone in Liberia’s push toward gender equity in governance and justice.
The regional rollout, held in Grand Gedeh County at the historic Tubman Palace, is part of a wider national effort aimed at redressing systemic gender imbalances and boosting women’s representation in senior professional and management roles across government institutions.
Delivering remarks on behalf of Justice Minister Oswald Tweh, GSIU Director Maude M. Somah underscored the urgent need to elevate women to leadership positions traditionally dominated by men.
She emphasized that the initiative reflects the Ministry’s strategic vision to build a justice system that mirrors the diversity and potential of Liberia.
“The success of this policy lies in its ability to transform institutions and ensure that every Liberian, regardless of gender, has equal access to justice and leadership,” said Somah. “We are building a justice system that reflects the diversity and potential of our nation.”
First introduced in October 2024, the Gender Policy and Action Plan is being implemented across four regions.
Region Four, which includes Grand Gedeh, Rivergee, Maryland, and Grand Kru counties, is the latest to benefit from this inclusive framework.
Grand Gedeh County Superintendent Alex Grant opened the event with a strong endorsement of the initiative, pledging to integrate its principles into county governance.
“Our administration is fully aligned with the Ministry’s vision,” said Grant. “We are committed to fostering gender-responsive leadership that empowers all citizens.”
As part of the regional launch, the Ministry will roll out a series of initiatives including public awareness campaigns, capacity-building workshops on gender mainstreaming, and mechanisms for monitoring and evaluating the policy’s impact at both the county and regional levels.
The Grand Gedeh launch signals a renewed national commitment to inclusive governance and positions gender equity at the forefront of Liberia’s justice sector reforms.
The Ministry of Justice aims to use this momentum to catalyze similar rollouts in other regions and entrench a more representative legal system that serves all Liberians equally.
