The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, has trained and empowered more than 50 fistula survivors across the country under a program supported by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Speaking during the graduation ceremony held on Friday, May 15, 2026, Assistant Minister for Gender, Hon. Ophelia J.S. Kennedy, the Ministry developed and presented a proposal to ECOWAS after recognizing the growing need to support women suffering from the condition.
“We saw the need to intervene in the challenges women go through during childbirth and other circumstances that lead to fistula. Therefore, a project was designed in favor of these women to ensure they receive treatment and support,” she said.
AMG Kennedy indicated that beyond medical treatment, the Ministry also focused on helping survivors reintegrate into society through skills training and economic empowerment initiatives.
“After treatment, they need social support through vocational training programs so that when they return to their communities, they can go back with dignity,” Kennedy noted. “Because of limited awareness in Liberia, many fistula survivors face stigma and rejection from their communities.”
As part of the project, the Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender renovated a previously dilapidated fistula training center in the Phebe Community, Gbarnga, Bong County, to accommodate survivors and provide vocational training opportunities.
The Ministry also collaborated closely with the Ministry of Health and several medical institutions involved in fistula treatment, including Phebe Hospital, Catholic Hospital, C.B. Dunbar Hospital, and C.H. Rennie Hospital.
Assistant Minister Kennedy disclosed that the project additionally funded specialized medical training for three Liberian doctors in Ethiopia to strengthen the country’s capacity to treat fistula cases locally.
“Funding was provided through the same ECOWAS-supported project to send three doctors to Ethiopia for specialized fistula training,” she said. “The country spends significant resources on fistula treatment, so we saw the need to build local expertise.”
The program initially targeted 100 participants. However, some beneficiaries were unable to immediately return for training due to farming and other livelihood activities in their communities.
Kennedy said additional outreach efforts will continue to identify and support more survivors across Liberia.
Participants who completed the training were also provided with startup packages to help them establish small businesses based on the skills they acquired.
“These people are leaving here today with startup materials to begin empowering themselves when they return to their respective communities,” AMG Kennedy disclosed.
Despite the achievements, the Assistant Minister stressed the importance of sustainability and called on both the Liberian government and development partners to provide continued support for fistula survivors.
“This program has ended, but sustainability remains a challenge. We are calling on partners and the government to continue supporting these women financially and socially as they rebuild their lives in their communities,” AMG Kennedy stated.
She further praised the collaboration between the Ministries of Gender and Health, noting that outreach programs conducted by health authorities continue to identify women in need of fistula treatment and rehabilitation services.
For their part, beneficiaries lauded the Ministry of Gender and ECOWAS for their continued support and commitment to empowering vulnerable women in Liberia.
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