MONROVIA, LIBERIA – The Gender Ministry has begun disbursing over one hundred thousand US Dollars in grants to forty-three women-led businesses under the Liberia Women Empowerment Project.
According to Gender Minister Gbeme Horace Kollie, the grant aims to provide liquidity for community savings, business expansion, agricultural development, and strengthen resilience in rural and semi-urban communities.
It also aims to support innovative, climate-smart micro-projects that enhance household incomes, strengthen food security, and promote long-term sustainability.
Minister Kollie disclosed that the payment is being provided to 1,273 thousand beneficiaries across Montserrado and Gbarpolu Counties, respectively.
She noted that the beneficiaries are divided into three categories: village savings and loan associations (VSLAs, individual women-led Enterprises (IEs), and farmers-based organizations (FOBs).
The gender minister further disclosed that a total of 972 beneficiaries are women, comprising 76.4%, and 301 are men, comprising 23.6%.
The current disbursement, according to Minister Kollie, represents fifty percent of the total amount approved during their grant application, and the remaining fifty percent will be released after verification of proper fund utilization.
The Liberia Women Empowerment Project is a US$44.6 million five-year initiative aimed at fostering positive social norms, empowering women, reducing poverty, and uplifting rural communities.
The project is expected to reach 267,200 people across 498 communities in six counties, including Rural Montserrado, Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, Riverces, and Grand Gedeh.
Meanwhile, Gender Minister Kollie says the ministry remains firm in fighting any form of Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) against women and children across the country.
She said,” Getting justice for survivors of SGBV remains the sole responsibility of the ministry, and my administration will ensure such mandate is implemented, regardless of who is involved”.
The Gender Boss noted that those involved in SGBV should be accountable for their actions.
Minister Gbeme Horace Kollie recommitted the ministry to ensuring victims of SGBV receive all the support they need, including safety, psychosocial, emotional, and moral support.
She spoke during a press conference at her Congo town office on Tuesday, September 16,2025.