IPNEWS: To promote inclusive forest governance and ensure equitable participation in natural resource management, the European Union–funded Leh Go Green project, implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in partnership with the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), organized a one-day Gender Mainstreaming Workshop for its implementing partners.
The Leh Go Green initiative, officially titled Supporting Increased Forest-Based Revenue and Livelihoods for Forest Users and Forest-Fringe Communities, is being implemented across the Gola and Grebo-Krahn forest landscapes.
The project aims to mitigate climate change, improve local livelihoods, restore degraded forests, and promote sustainable forest-based enterprises, with a strong emphasis on ensuring that women, youth, and persons with disabilities benefit equally from these opportunities.
Over the past year, field monitoring and partner reports have highlighted significant progress, but also noted inconsistencies in gender integration across some activities.
The workshop served as a critical platform to harmonize gender-responsive approaches, strengthen partner capacity, and ensure that women, men, and persons with disabilities participate meaningfully and equitably in forest conservation and livelihood initiatives.
The training held on December 9, 2025, brought together representatives from leading conservation and development organizations—including the Society for the Conservation of Nature Liberia (SCNL), Green Gold, BRAC, Nimba Ventures, and FTI—alongside key government institutions such as the FDA, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the Ministry of Agriculture.
Participants engaged in hands-on learning sessions, case studies, group exercises, and strategic planning discussions to strengthen gender accountability. A major outcome of the workshop will be the development of a consolidated Gender Action Plan to guide all partners throughout the project cycle.
Speaking during the workshop, Chrystal Angel Wardlow, Gender Specialist for the Leh Go Green project, underscored the essential role of gender inclusion in strengthening Liberia’s forest sector.
“Sustainable forest management is not complete without the full participation of women. Women are deeply involved in forest-dependent livelihoods—from gathering non-timber forest products to managing household energy needs—yet they are often left out of decision-making spaces.
This workshop is an opportunity to close that gap by equipping our partners with the tools and mindset needed to integrate gender equality at every stage of implementation,” Wardlow said.
She added, “When women have equal voice and access to resources, communities become more resilient, forest governance becomes more accountable, and development outcomes improve for everyone. Leh Go Green is committed to making this a reality.”
During the workshop, partners worked collaboratively to identify gender gaps within ongoing project activities, revise indicators where needed, and outline clear commitments to improving gender-responsive planning, reporting, and monitoring.
The workshop reaffirms UNDP’s commitment to promoting equitable and inclusive development across Liberia.
It aligns with the Team Europe Initiative (TEI) on Sustainable Forestry and Biodiversity Conservation, which prioritizes community-driven forest management, livelihood enhancement, and increasing the participation of women in natural resource governance.
As implementation continues, partners reiterated their dedication to ensuring that gender equality remains a central pillar of climate resilience, forest restoration, and sustainable development efforts in Liberia.
