Monrovia, Liberia — Women’s political participation and gender-responsive governance are critical to achieving inclusive and sustainable development. In Liberia, a new initiative supported through South-South cooperation is strengthening women’s leadership in both legislative institutions and local communities, reinforcing national efforts to advance the Sustainable Development Goals.
The Women’s Legislative Caucus of Liberia (WLCL), in partnership with UN Women and with support from the IBSA Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation (IBSA Fund), is laying the groundwork for strengthened gender-responsive governance and expanded leadership opportunities for women across the country.
The project, Women Legislators in Liberia: Promoting Voice, Leadership, and Gender-Responsive Governance for Sustainable Development, entered its implementation phase following signings in mid-December 2025.
Initial efforts have focused on establishing the project’s institutional and operational foundations, in close coordination with key partners across government, the United Nations system and civil society.
Under its economic empowerment component, UN Women launched a call for proposals to identify a civil society partner to deliver integrated programmes for rural women and young women. Following a competitive review process, a Technical Committee recommended Care Foundation Liberia. Implementation is expected to reach women across eight counties through initiatives in literacy, entrepreneurship, financial inclusion and digital skills.
At the same time, the project is establishing a legislative internship and mentorship initiative to build a pipeline of future women leaders. A mentorship manual and practical guides are being developed to clarify roles, expectations and safeguarding measures, with the launch scheduled for March 2026. The initiative will connect young women and aspiring leaders with members of the Women’s Legislative Caucus, fostering intergenerational leadership and providing practical exposure to governance processes.
The project also promotes peer-to-peer learning and South-South cooperation. Preparations are underway to facilitate knowledge exchanges and technical support with counterparts in countries including India and South Africa, reinforcing the IBSA partnership’s commitment to sharing legislative good practices across the Global South.
In the coming months, activities will expand to include integrated economic empowerment workshops, strengthened legislative coordination and enhanced communications to raise public awareness of gender-sensitive reforms. By combining institutional strengthening, community engagement and leadership development, the initiative seeks to advance women’s political participation and promote more inclusive governance in Liberia.
Through the IBSA Fund, this partnership reflects the growing role of South-South cooperation in supporting women’s leadership and accelerating progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals.
