Atty. Laura Golakeh is the Deputy Minister for Gender. She stands out as a multifaceted expert with a rich background in Gender Research, Evaluation, Education Law, and extensive work on national and international platforms. Her academic credentials include a Bachelor of Law from the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, Monrovia, Liberia (June 2023), a Master of Education in International Education Policy from Harvard University (May 2021), a Master of Arts in Gender and Peacebuilding from the United Nations Mandated University for Peace and Wellesley College (June 2015), and a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the African Methodist Episcopal University, Monrovia, Liberia (2010).
Atty Golakeh has made significant policy contributions to Liberia’s National Gender Policy, Gender Equality Profile, National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325, and the National Action Plan on Persons with Disabilities. Her professional journey is distinguished by geographic experiences across Liberia, the USA, Kenya, and Sierra Leone, showcasing her versatility and ability to adapt to diverse environments and challenges.
Her full-time roles have spanned across key positions such as National Coordinator for the She Trades Project at the International Trade Centre, Gender Coordinator at the Young Women Empowerment Centre, Gender/Education Lead at the President’s Delivery Unit in Liberia, and Communications Manager at the Angie Brooks International Centre. These roles have seen her lead crucial projects, including gender knowledge assessments, capacity-building initiatives, policy analysis, and communications for women’s leadership in various sectors.
Atty Golakeh’s consultancy experiences are equally impressive, encompassing work as a Gender Specialist for the Monrovia Metropolitan Climate Resilience Project, National Consultant for UNICEF Liberia, Subject Matter Expert-Gender for USAID’s Liberia Conflict Assessment, National Consultant for the United Nations Development Program, Evaluation Specialist for the Food and Agriculture Organization, and several other critical roles for international organizations like UN Women, the World Bank, and Concern Worldwide International.
Her work focuses on gender-based violence, counseling, gender sensitivity in programming, policy development for gender equality, and social protection, among other areas. Atty. Laura Golakeh’s achievements reflects a dedication to gender equality, education policy, and legal advocacy, marking her as a significant asset to any initiative or organization aiming to make impactful changes in society.