Sister Aid Liberia (SALI), a local non-profit organization, in partnership with UN Women with funding support from Irish Aid, has successfully concluded a series of transformative capacity-building to empower male decision-makers in local administration to challenge gender power structures and discriminatory practices in their communities.
The workshops provided training for 147 local male leaders in three of Liberia fifteen counties. The program which was held September 18-20, 2024, took place in Lofa, Grand Bassa, and Grand Gedeh.
The sessions focused on Gender Transformative Leadership and Positive Masculinity, were designed to empower male decision-makers in local administration to challenge gender power structures and discriminatory practices in their communities.
The initiative specifically targeted county superintendents, development officers, city mayors, district commissioners, and traditional leaders, aiming to equip them with the tools to advance gender equity at both local and national levels.
By enhancing their understanding of masculinity and its impact on women’s underrepresentation in leadership roles, the training sought to address deep-seated cultural and institutional barriers that hinder progress toward gender equality.
The workshops, led by gender experts, explored topics such as the societal construction of masculinity, its reinforcement in everyday life, and its implications for women’s roles in leadership.
The facilitators were dispatched across the three counties, including prominent trainers such as Mr. Samuel D. Darpolor of the Center for Research and Capacity Building, and Madam Patricia Z. Gaye , the program manager of Sister Aid-Liberia, who conducted the session in Grand Bassa. Ora Mato Barclay, a gender specialist from Development Initiative (DI), led the Grand Gedeh training, while Mr. James Cater, a trainer from the security sector, and Madam Amelia S. Siafa, Acting Executive Director of SALI, facilitated the workshop in Lofa.
In her address to participants in Voinjama, Lofa County, Madam Amelia S. Siafa urged the local officials and traditional leaders to take the training seriously, emphasizing its importance in strengthening their leadership skills and fostering a more equitable society. “I charge you to take full advantage of this training. Our goal is to train you to become transformational leaders and promoters of the HeForShe movement to prevent conflict and build inclusive communities,” she said.
The response from participants was overwhelmingly positive. Leaders from various sectors, including political parties, traditional andcommunity heads, expressed their gratitude for the initiative and pledged their commitment to fostering positive masculinity and gender norms within their families and communities.
“This workshop has opened our eyes to the critical role we play in reinforcing gender equality,” said a participant from Lofa County. Others in Grand Bassa County echoed similar sentiments, highlighting the training’s impact in identifying negative masculinities and committing to discouraging harmful behaviors towards women and girls.
The participants further called on Sister Aid Liberia and its partners to expand the initiative, citing its potential to create long-term social change. “This is just the beginning,” said one official. “We hope to see this program continue with more support so that these teachings can reach every corner of Liberia.”
The training sessions covered a wide range of topics, including the distinction between gender and sex, the benefits of promoting positive masculinity, gender equality versus gender equity, and societal expectations around masculinity and femininity. The initiative aims to continue empowering male leaders to support gender equity, challenging harmful norms, and promoting women’s leadership at all levels.
Sister Aid Liberia’s successful implementation of these workshops marks a critical step in advancing gender equity in Liberia. With ongoing support from UN Women and Irish Aid, the organization hopes to extend this initiative to other counties and ensure sustained progress in the fight for equal representation and the dismantling of harmful gender norms.
