– Dialogue on investing in women
By Jerromie S. Walters
As the global fight heightens for women’s economic empowerment, Liberia’s chapter of UN Women, a United Nations entity charged with working for gender equality and the empowerment of women is leading a three-day Multi-Stakeholder Policy Dialogue Workshop on Women’s Economic Empowerment in Liberia.
The event, themed “Invest in Women: Accelerating Progress for Liberia’s Future,” kick started Tuesday, November 12, 2024, in Gompa City, Nimba County, Liberia. The commencement of the dialogue brought together key stakeholders committed to promoting women’s economic empowerment.
Dr. Muriel Ametoglo is the Regional Feminist Economist Specialist of UN Women. She tells participants at the beginning of the event that the National Policy Dialogue promises to be a significant step forward in the collective effort to empower women and foster inclusive economic growth in Liberia.
In the Presentation of the workshop agenda and objectives, Dr. Muriel Ametoglo said the initiative endeavors to protect women in decent work, and ensure a transformed system that leverages financing Support to women’s initiatives across Liberia and Africa. The Regional Feminist Economist Specialist of UN Women also stressed that the dialogue seeks to protect women’s interests.
Heart of the dialogue:
The birth of the three-day dialogue concentrated on Leveraging Financing Inclusion and Trade and Women’s Entrepreneurship. As, an extensive discussion was held on CONVERSATION ON TRADE AND WOMEN’S ENTREPRENEURSHIP. Moreover,a separate Session was held on “Supporting women cross-border traders under the AfCFTA”. The Session explored sustainable solutions to the challenges (young) women in informal and formal cross-border trade face in Liberia and explored the extent to which the implementation of the AfCFTA can effectively address them to ensure sustained and inclusive economic empowerment of women in Liberia.
At the same time, a session on Identifying challenges and opportunities for the growth of Women-owned businesses in Liberia was conducted, and this displayed the testimonies of Cross Border Women, which show that they are engulfed with extreme acts of sexual abuse, unstable rate, and a couple of other constraints. The dialogue also provided a space for a High-level panel “Leveraging financing inclusion and policies for women’s economic empowerment in Liberia”. This session explored opportunities to leverage financial inclusion and technology to integrate VSLA, women entrepreneurs, and women-owned businesses through the formal financial ecosystem.
Stakeholders’ voices:
Yemi Falayajo, Deputy Country Representative of UN Women Liberia, emphasized the critical importance of investing in women to secure a prosperous future for Liberia. The event, held under the theme “Invest in Women: Accelerating Progress for Liberia’s Future,” brought together distinguished guests, government officials, and advocates for gender equality.
Representing Comfort LAMPTEY, UN Women’s Country Representative in Liberia, Madam Falayajo expressed her gratitude to the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, and the Government of Liberia for their collaboration in organizing this significant event. “Today marks a pivotal moment in Liberia’s development trajectory, as we stand on the brink of the National Development Plan,” she stated. “This dialogue serves as a crucial platform to unite our efforts towards a future where women are empowered and play a vital role in Liberia’s socioeconomic progress.”
Madam Falayajo highlighted the numerous challenges that women and girls face, particularly in the wake of global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and rising geopolitical tensions. She noted that if current trends continue, an alarming 220.9 million women and girls in sub-Saharan Africa will be living in extreme poverty by 2030. With less than six years remaining to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), she pointed out that it will take an estimated 101 years to close the gender gap in sub-Saharan Africa, extending far beyond the 2030 target. Despite Liberia’s progress in advancing gender equality, significant barriers remain.
“Women in Liberia spend an average of 4 hours and 25 minutes per day on unpaid care and domestic work, compared to just 1 hour and 23 minutes for men,” she said. “Moreover, 88.4% of working women occupy vulnerable employment, and many lack access to essential resources such as land, credit, and specialized business training.” Madam Falayajo also emphasized the economic potential of closing gender gaps in labor force participation and representation. “If we were to bridge these gaps, Liberia’s GDP growth could increase by 11.5 percent, far exceeding the current estimated growth rate of 5.2 percent,” she explained.
The three-day dialogue is designed to explore transformative pathways for enhancing women’s economic empowerment, focusing on key areas such as the care economy, green economy, women’s financial inclusion, and entrepreneurship. She outlined several strategies for achieving these goals: investing in care-related infrastructure, ensuring equal opportunities in green jobs, securing access to formal financial services for women, and promoting gender-responsive trade policies.
Madam Falayajo reaffirmed UN Women’s commitment to supporting Liberia’s journey toward gender equality and sustainable development. She announced the launch of the “West and Central Africa Feminist Economists Taskforce,” aimed at assisting countries in designing and implementing gender-responsive economic policies.
As the dialogue continues, Madam Falayajo expressed her confidence that it will lead to concrete results, including a roadmap for advancing women’s economic empowerment in Liberia. “Let us invest in women, and let us accelerate progress for Liberia’s future,” she urged attendees, closing her remarks with a warm welcome to Ganta City.
Like Madam Falayajo Ophelia Kennedy, Assistant Minister for Gender at the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, articulated the importance of collaboration and diverse perspectives in shaping policies that promote inclusivity and economic empowerment for women. “Today, I am privileged to stand before you, distinguished ladies and gentlemen, as we gather to share our ideas, experiences, and aspirations,” Kennedy stated. “Together, we form a rich vision bound by a shared goal: the pursuit of policies that foster inclusivity and empower women economically in Liberia.”
Kennedy described the assembly as more than just a meeting; it is a “crucible for innovation and change.” She called upon participants to challenge the status quo and engage in meaningful discussions that will empower stakeholders to become champions of transformation. “We are on the brink of an extraordinary opportunity—a chance to listen, debate, and bridge the gaps that many see as unmanageable,” she declared.
Highlighting the pressing challenges facing Liberia, such as environmental degradation, social inequity, economic disparity, and public health crises, Kennedy stressed the need for collective efforts and commitment. “It is through our collaborative engagement today that we will lay the groundwork for policies that reflect the needs and aspirations of women to realize their economic potential,” she urged.
Kennedy encouraged attendees to embrace the dialogue as co-authors of a narrative prioritizing sustainability, equality, and justice. “We each bring invaluable expertise, experiences, and insights that will pave new pathways forward,” she said, urging participants to cultivate open-mindedness and understanding. “Let our conversations bloom into actionable policy frameworks for women’s economic empowerment in Liberia.”
As she concluded her remarks, Kennedy emphasized the importance of building bridges of understanding and focusing on solutions that dismantle obstacles rather than creating barriers. “Change begins when we engage with the belief that every voice matters and every contribution is vital,” she affirmed.
Madam Kennedy expressed her confidence in the potential for meaningful dialogue and urged participants to bring their passion, insights, and commitment to the discussions. “Together, let us set the wheels of hope in motion and propel discussions that will resonate far beyond today,” she concluded, wishing all attendees a successful dialogue.
Also at the dialogue, Charlyn Davis-Wozie, the Gender & Social Inclusion Specialist for the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), emphasized the importance of ensuring that no one is left behind in the pursuit of a brighter, more equitable future. She highlighted FAO’s Blue Growth Initiative and Blue Transformation vision as critical steps toward establishing a blue-green economy that aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). “This roadmap unequivocally recognizes the essential role of aquatic food systems as powerful drivers of employment, economic growth, social development, and environmental recovery,” she noted.
The FAO specialist underscored the need for transforming aquatic food systems into more efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable models. “By focusing on these transformations, we can achieve better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life for all,” she said, reiterating the commitment to leave no one behind.
Davis-Wozie also pointed out the vital role of women in aquatic food systems, stating that promoting gender-responsive and transformative interventions is essential for fostering inclusive growth. “By enhancing equal rights, opportunities, and benefits for all, we can strengthen these systems and ensure their sustainability,” she added.
She expressed gratitude to the government, UN Women, and its partners for organizing the Multi-Stakeholder Policy Dialogue. Davis-Wozie reaffirmed FAO’s dedication to advancing policy measures that empower women within the green economy and climate action, particularly in the fisheries and forestry sectors, while promoting sustainable natural resource management and decisive climate actions.
Moreover, the Gender & Social Inclusion Specialist of FAO expressed her honor in representing the organization at the workshop. “It is a privilege to witness the convergence of key stakeholders at this important gathering,” she stated. “This event reflects our shared commitment to advancing gender equity and fostering inclusive growth across our communities.”
A representative from the Deputy Minister of Economics Management at the Ministry of Finance, reminded the gathering that women’s empowerment is not just a fundamental Honan right, but essential to Liberia’s economic growth. He urged the need for collectiveness to secure women’s future and ensure that their voices are heard. He hopes that the gathering will have a trickle-down effect on the women of Liberia.
Earlier in the welcome statement, Africanus Dolo, Administrative Assistant, Office of the Mayor of Gompa City, Nimba County, welcomed the guests and emphasized that the county is Interested in promoting women’s empowerment and protecting their interests. He acknowledged that Women are powerful. Dolo elaborated on the history and founding of Gompa and noted that Gompa is a home of a women because it was established by a female.
