Twenty-eight dynamic women leaders from Sinoe, Rivercess, Grand Bassa, and Margibi Counties have convened in Buchanan for the launch of the first-ever Regional Women Democracy School, a four-day training initiative organized by the Netherlands Institute for Multiparty Democracy (NIMD) in partnership with UN Women and UNDP.
Held from 16–19 September, the training aims to strengthen women’s democratic knowledge, leadership skills, and capacity to drive transformative change in their communities. The initiative is part of the UNDP Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP), co-funded by the European Union, Irish Aid, and the Embassy of Sweden.
Participants include women from political parties, women-led organizations, commercial unions, and community-based groups. By bringing together women from both formal and informal sectors, the programme fosters inclusive dialogue, trust-building, and collaborative learning across diverse political, social, and economic backgrounds.
Grand Bassa County Superintendent Karyou Johnson, speaking at the opening ceremony, encouraged participants to fully embrace the opportunity. “We urge you to internalize and apply the knowledge gained from this training. You are being prepared to become agents of positive change. The success and development of our country depend on your leadership.”
Cllr. Darren Domah, Program Officer at NIMD, echoed this sentiment. “This training is a stepping stone. The responsibility lies with you to use the knowledge to make a difference in your communities. NIMD and its partners are ready to support your initiatives if they align with our shared goals.”
The training features expert-led sessions, including a presentation by Ms. Floortje Klijn, NIMD Knowledge Management Advisor, on “Different Forms of Political Engagement.”
Counselor George Sagbe also led sessions on “Constitutional Democracy,” covering topics such as the structure of the state, separation of powers, human rights, the rule of law, and local governance.
The Regional Women Democracy School builds on insights from a nationwide consultation that engaged 160 women across Liberia.
That consultation identified four key challenges affecting women’s participation in governance, including limited access to affordable, quality health services, especially maternal and reproductive care, poor rural road infrastructure, restricted service delivery and market access, insufficient support for small-scale agriculture, affecting productivity and income, and limited access to trade and commerce opportunities, hindering women’s economic independence.
The Democracy School aims to deepen participants’ understanding of how these challenges impact women’s civic engagement and equip them with tools to develop community-driven solutions.
By creating a space for women to share experiences, build networks, and gain practical knowledge, the initiative is expected to contribute to more inclusive democratic processes, stronger local leadership, and increased women’s participation in Liberia’s governance and development.
The Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP) supports national institutions and processes that promote inclusive and accountable governance. It is managed by UNDP and implemented in partnership with UN Women and NIMD, with funding from the European Union, Ireland, and Sweden.
