Liberia’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Mrs. Gbeme Horace-Kollie, has underscored the need for continued support from the global community in advancing the Beijing +30 Goals and achieving SDG 5—gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
Minister Horace-Kollie made this call during the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) in New York, where she delivered Liberia’s status report since the 1995 Beijing Platform for Action.
In her address, the Minister stated: “Now is the time for decisive action. Let us place women and girls at the heart of the global development agenda.” She added that Liberia stands ready to collaborate with all nations to make gender equality a reality for women and girls everywhere. She reminded the world that achieving gender equality requires continued effort, cooperation, and commitment to ensuring that women and girls have the opportunities they need to thrive.
The Minister took center stage to highlight Liberia’s journey toward gender equality, which has been marked by both challenges and remarkable strides. Her address reflected the country’s commitment to advancing women’s rights through key legislative reforms, social programs, and efforts to ensure women’s full participation in all aspects of society.
Minister Horace-Kollie began by reflecting on Liberia’s history and its dedication to promoting gender equality, noting the establishment of the Ministry of Gender and Development in 2001, following the 1995 Beijing Conference on Women. She emphasized that this was a crucial step in aligning Liberia’s national priorities with the global agenda to empower women and promote gender equality.
“Since then, Liberia has made significant strides in addressing gender inequality and promoting women’s participation through key legislation, policies, and programs,” she remarked. The Minister highlighted several landmark laws, including the Rape Law, Anti-Trafficking Law, Domestic Violence Act, and the progressive Land Rights Act—one of Africa’s most forward-thinking laws, granting women the right to own land and participate in land governance.
Minister Horace-Kollie shared that Liberia had not only enacted progressive laws but had also initiated consultations to reform discriminatory legislation. She spoke about the ongoing reviews under the National Policy Dialogue Platform, a multi-sectoral approach designed to promote inclusive policy reform. Among the key issues under review were bills aimed at criminalizing Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), improving women’s access to legal aid, and enforcing a gender quota in elections.
Reflecting on Liberia’s historic achievement in electing Africa’s first female president, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, in 2005, the Minister proudly declared: “In 2005, Liberia made history by electing Africa’s first female President, marking a significant milestone for women’s leadership on the continent.” This achievement, she noted, further underscored the country’s growing commitment to empowering women in political leadership.
One of Liberia’s most pressing challenges has been gender-based violence, and the Minister highlighted several measures taken by the government to address this issue. These include the establishment of the Women and Children Protection Unit within the Liberia National Police, the Sexual Offense Court, and the Sexual and Gender-Based Violence Crimes Unit at the Ministry of Justice. These initiatives, she said, are essential in ensuring survivors of violence receive justice and critical support.
Additionally, she announced the reactivation of the National Gender-Based Violence Call Center, a 24/7 confidential helpline that provides survivors with access to psychosocial counseling, medical care, and legal assistance. “This service is a vital resource for women in need of immediate support,” she indicated.
Minister Horace-Kollie also spoke about Liberia’s social protection programs, highlighting cash transfers as a crucial tool in supporting vulnerable populations. “Through cash transfer programs, over 70% of recipients are women, benefiting more than 119,250 individuals,” she explained. These programs, she added, are key to ensuring that women, particularly those in marginalized communities, have financial independence and security to improve their lives.
The Minister also shared that Liberia had made notable progress in enhancing women’s participation in the labor market. As of 2023, women contributed 39% of market-based output, with a labor force participation rate of 72.4%. “These figures show that women are a significant force in Liberia’s economy,” she said, emphasizing that empowering women economically is central to the country’s development goals.
Education was another major area of focus in Liberia’s gender equality agenda. Minister Horace-Kollie spoke about the government’s efforts to ensure that early marriage and teenage pregnancy do not hinder girls’ access to education. She indicated how the Girls Inclusive Education Policy is central to creating an environment where girls can continue their studies and reach their full potential, regardless of the challenges they face.
“The future of Liberia depends on the education of our girls. It is crucial that they are given the opportunity to learn, grow, and contribute to society,” she emphasized, reinforcing the importance of education as a means of empowerment.
“Although Liberia has made strides in other areas, political representation remains a challenge. While women made up 50.1% of registered voters and 51.8% of those who voted in the 2023 elections, women still represented only 11% of the legislature,” Mrs. Horace-Kollie revealed. However, the Minister pointed to positive trends in other sectors, noting that women now hold more than 30% of ministerial positions, 40% of senior local government roles, and 60% of positions on Liberia’s Supreme Court.
Liberia Women Empowerment Project
USAID – US Agency for International Development
