…As FREE and AFLA Urge Authorities to Do More to Protect Women and Girls in Liberia
New York, USA – A groundbreaking study conducted by the Foundation for Research, Education & Empowerment (FREE) Liberia in partnership with the Association for Life of Africa (AFLA) has uncovered significant barriers to education and the rising prevalence of gender-based violence (GBV) among women and girls in Liberia.
The study, titled “Building Self-Esteem and Resilience in the Face of Adversity: An Empirical Study on Educational Challenges and Gender-Based Violence Among Women and Girls in Liberia,” investigates the complex challenges limiting educational access for Liberian women and girls. It focuses particularly on the impact of GBV on self-esteem and resilience, assesses the effectiveness of current interventions, and proposes evidence-based strategies to empower women and girls.
According to the study, financial constraints are the most significant barrier to education, cited by 53.45% of respondents. Early marriage and teenage pregnancy were identified as additional barriers by 31.03% of participants.
The research highlights the alarming impact of gender-based violence on education. More than 62% of participants reported hearing about or experiencing GBV in educational settings within the past year. The most commonly reported form of abuse was sexual coercion, including “sex for grades,” identified by 60.34% of respondents. The study also notes widespread incidents of sexual harassment and verbal abuse in schools across the country.
Nearly 95% of respondents believe GBV negatively affects the self-esteem of female students, while 80% stated it reduces participation in education. Although the study acknowledges progress in legal reforms and education policies, it reveals significant gaps in implementation. Half of the respondents viewed Liberia’s legal frameworks on GBV as only moderately effective. Additionally, awareness of empowerment programs remains low, with just 24% of participants familiar with initiatives aimed at reducing GBV and supporting survivors.
As a key solution, 98% of respondents recommended gender sensitivity and violence prevention training for educators and school staff to create safer and more supportive learning environments for girls in Liberia.
The study further recommends expanding scholarships and financial support for women and girls from disadvantaged backgrounds, strengthening the enforcement of laws against GBV in educational settings, increasing community awareness campaigns to promote girls’ education, and scaling up empowerment programs that foster resilience and self-esteem among women and girls.
The research was led by Dr. Charles Gbollie, Assistant Professor at the University of Liberia and Chief Executive Officer of FREE-Liberia. “GBV is not only a violation of human rights but also creates an unsafe environment that drives women and girls away from schools,” Dr. Gbollie said. “Addressing this issue is critical to improving educational outcomes.”
He noted that many girls in Liberia face multiple challenges just to remain in school. “This study provides clear evidence that we must do more to ensure girls have equal opportunities to learn and succeed,” he said. “Now is the time to act. If we are to create a Liberia where every woman and girl can learn, lead, and thrive, we need coordinated efforts from government, civil society, and the international community.”
Dr. Gbollie is currently in the United States, where he was officially invited to attend the 69th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW69) at the United Nations Headquarters in New York, taking place from March 10–21, 2025.
“Women’s rights are not only human rights; they are rights that guarantee and protect all of humanity,” Dr. Gbollie stated. “All of us in this world came through women. They are not only our sisters and wives but also loving and caring mothers. When women succeed, all of us succeed. There is nothing much men can do in this world without the help and support of women. We must make their voices heard—everywhere, every place.”
Dr. Gbollie pledged to use the CSW69 platform to present the study’s findings and champion the cause of women and girls in Liberia, particularly through FREE-Liberia’s programs and initiatives.
Founded in July 2015, FREE-Liberia is a registered and accredited non-governmental organization (NGO) committed to fostering evidence-based solutions for long-term impact. The organization is comprised of innovative researchers, academicians, and professionals in Liberia and abroad, dedicated to conducting systematic research that informs interventions in education, gender equity, and youth empowerment.FREE-Liberia has conducted several empirical studies, including the widely cited publication: “Student Academic Performance: The Role of Motivation, Strategies, and Perceived Factors Hindering Liberian Junior and Senior High School Students’ Learning”
