MONROVIA, LIBERIA-A forty-four million US Dollar project targeting more than two hundred thousand persons in Liberia has been launched.

The project seeks to improve the social and livelihood services for women and girls, foster positive social norms, and strengthen the Liberia Government’s support to advance women’s empowerment.

The initiative is also intended to address key barriers to gender equality in Liberia and align with the Government’s priorities on women’s empowerment and Gender Based Violence prevention.

The five-year strategic project will be implemented by the Ministry of Gender, under the Liberia Women Empowerment project.

The Ministry said the project will benefit women and girls from six counties, including Gbarpolu, Bomi, Rivercess, and Grand Gedeh.

Meanwhile, UN Women Representative, Comfort Lamptey, has lauded the Gender Ministry and partners for launching such a project.

Madam Lamptey said:” Through the project, issues affecting women’s social and economic development will be addressed. Addressing such issues is another way of attracting development in every nation.”

Madam Lamptey, however, committed her organization’s support to working with the Gender Ministry in elevating the voices of women and providing them with a safe space to learn and grow.

The UN Women Country Representative spoke on Thursday, May 30, 2024, at the launch of the National Policy Dialogue platform in Congo Town.

At the same time, the Minister of Gender, Gbeme Horace-Kollie, is calling for a robust policy-driven approach to issues hindering gender equality in Liberia.

Madam Kollie said:” This approach will help in bridging the gender gap and provide women with the requisite skills to access livelihood opportunities as their male counterparts.”

According to her, the cross-sectorial dialogue platform, under the Liberia Women Empowerment Project, seeks to address policy-related constraints affecting women’s empowerment in the Country.

The Gender Minister then urged stakeholders and organizations involved in the project to work with the commitment to achieve its targeted goals.

By: Vasta Tarlue