By Precious D. Freeman
Plan International has concluded a three-day on-boarding workshop as a significant step to advancing women’s empowerment and promoting gender equality.
The initiative brought together stakeholders from diverse sectors to forge a sustainable path for the empowerment of women and girls across Liberia.
Speaking at the event the Business Development Manager at ActionAid, Victoria Torkon Koiquah lauded the Liberian government for securing a substantial loan aimed at enhancing economic opportunities for women in six counties.
“This commitment is commendable,” Koiquah stated, emphasizing the importance of empowering women throughout the region.
The grant, awarded to the Liberian government, will be executed in partnership with both international and local organizations, with the Ministry of Gender spearheading the effort.
Plan International has been designated as the primary service provider for this groundbreaking initiative.
Koiquah underscored the urgency of addressing women’s marginalization in Liberia, stressing that the time has come for women’s voices to be heard and their rights to be recognized.
The workshop provided a detailed overview of the grant’s operational framework, clarifying that it is structured as a commercial loan rather than a traditional donor grant.
“We aimed to clarify the various components of the grant and its implementation strategies,” Koiquah explained.
ActionAid will oversee Component 1B of the project, which focuses on community-based initiatives in six targeted counties, with Grand Cape Mount and another county yet to be disclosed as key areas of focus.
The objective is to equip women and girls with the tools to manage their finances and businesses effectively. “When you uplift a woman, you uplift a nation,” Koiquah asserted, reaffirming ActionAid’s dedication to women’s economic empowerment.
For his part, the Project Officer for Defense for Children International (DCI) Liberia, Jeff George Momolu outlined DCI’s role as an implementing partner alongside Plan International and other stakeholders.
He detailed Component 1A, which addresses the social dimensions of the project.
“Our focus is on creating systemic changes that make it easier for women to access resources and support,” Momolu explained, describing the initiative as a potential game-changer for communities.
Momolu commended the government and the Ministry of Gender for their leadership and expressed optimism about the project’s potential to drive meaningful change.
The Director of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) at the Ministry of Justice, Oneta S. Roberts, praised the collaborative efforts of CRS and other partners.
She highlighted the importance of supporting survivors of abuse and ensuring that their cases are addressed through the project’s framework.
“We must stand with victims and ensure that their cases are addressed through this process,” Roberts stressed.
Roberts noted that the collaboration with the Ministry of Justice aims to empower rural women by improving their economic stability and encouraging active participation in the project.
“We are calling on rural women to engage fully in this initiative to create better living conditions for themselves and their communities,” she said.
The workshop marked a significant milestone in Liberia’s journey toward gender equality and economic empowerment.
With a clear framework and strong partnerships in place, the initiative is set to lay the foundation for a more equitable future for women and girls across the nation.
