As Gender Minister Pushes for More Women In Decision-Making Positions in Security Sector
(Monrovia, October 31, 2025)– Liberia joined the global community on Friday, October 31, 2025 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR 1325), with a strong call to advance women’s leadership and participation in national peace and security efforts.
The event, held at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs under the theme “Women Lead, Peace Follows,” brought together senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, representatives of the United Nations, civil society organizations, women and youth-led groups to reflect on Liberia’s progress and ongoing commitments under the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda.
Delivering a welcome remarks, Liberia’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Gbeme Horace-Kollie, vowed to continue advocating for the appointment of more women to decision-making positions across Liberia’s security sector.
“This anniversary is a powerful reminder of what the women of Liberia have long embodied, that when women lead, nations heal, communities thrive, and peace takes root,” Minister Horace-Kollie stated.
She underscored that UNSCR 1325, adopted in October 2000, fundamentally changed the global understanding of peace and security by recognizing women not only as victims of conflict but as critical actors in peacebuilding and recovery.
Reflecting on Liberia’s journey, the Minister said the nation’s transformation from conflict to peace stands as living proof of women’s resilience and leadership. She highlighted the historic Mass Action for Peace Movement and the establishment of Peace Huts as symbols of women’s enduring contribution to national reconciliation and community healing.
Minister Horace-Kollie further emphasized Liberia’s leadership role in advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda, noting that the country was the first post-conflict nation to adopt a National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security in 2009, later followed by a second plan in 2019.
Despite this progress, Minister Horace-Kollie acknowledged persistent challenges such as women’s underrepresentation in senior decision-making roles and chronic underfunding of gender and peacebuilding programs.
She extended appreciation to Liberia’s international and local partners, including UN Women, WONGOSOL, the Embassy of Sweden, and other civil society organizations, for their continued advocacy and technical support in advancing women’s empowerment and peace initiatives.
In closing, the Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to expanding women’s leadership opportunities and fostering greater inclusion within the security sector.
“Let us seize this moment not only to celebrate how far we have come, but also to rededicate ourselves to the work ahead, building a Liberia and a world where women’s leadership in peace and security is a reality,” she urged.
The commemoration ceremony served as both a celebration of progress and a call to action, urging renewed commitment to women’s participation in peacebuilding, governance, and security as Liberia prepares to take its place once again on the global peace and security stage.
