From Struggle To Strength: Women In Gbarpolu Celebrate Life-Changing Impact of Liberia Women’s Empowerment Project - FrontPageAfrica

Gbama Town, Gbarpolu County – Friday, May 15, 2026 — Hope, gratitude and empowerment filled the air in Gbama Town, Gbarpolu County, as the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), alongside the World Bank and implementing partners of the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP), conducted a high-level field mission aimed at assessing the impact of the project on women and communities across the county.

By Patience M. Jones, patiencejones@frontpageafricaonline.com

The visiting delegation received a colorful and heartfelt welcome from local authorities, women groups, community leaders, and residents, who organized a vibrant traditional ceremony featuring songs, cultural performances, and symbolic presentations of kola nuts and chickens — traditional gestures of peace, appreciation and hospitality in the community.

The mission brought together representatives from the World Bank, Plan International Liberia, CRS, ActionAid Liberia, Medica Liberia, KEEP Liberia, county authorities, community-based organizations, Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), faith-based institutions, school clubs and local government officials.

The visit provided an opportunity for beneficiaries to directly share testimonies of how the Liberia Women Empowerment Project has transformed their lives socially and economically.

One of the most emotional moments came when Sia Willie, an Individual Enterprise beneficiary, shared how the project restored her dignity and confidence after years of hardship and neglect.

“I was not respected in my home, my community, or among my friends because I had nothing doing,” she said emotionally.

“I was drowning in poverty with nobody to help me. But through this project, my life changed. Today, I am respected. My children can eat, and I can proudly stand on my own.”

Sia expressed appreciation to the Government of Liberia, the World Bank, and the project team for empowering vulnerable women in remote communities.

Another beneficiary, Bendu Varney, General Assembly Chairlady of the Lady First Group, revealed that her group received financial support amounting to US$4,000, which has helped women support their families and send their children to school.

“Because of this support, our children are going to school, and our lives are improving. We are grateful to the partners and the government,” she stated.

Martha Voir, Chairlady of the Songelee Village Savings Group, praised the initiative for helping widows and struggling mothers survive difficult economic conditions following the loss of loved ones.

“After my husband died, life became very hard for me and my children,” she explained.

“This project came at the right time. We are also appealing to the government to improve our roads so we can transport our goods freely.”

Speaking on behalf of women participating in the project, Josephine M. Poole, Chairlady of the Wongosol Women and Village Group, called on the World Bank and the government to expand the project to include more women who are still struggling in surrounding communities.

“This project has empowered us greatly and given women respect within their homes and communities,” she said.

 “We are asking for the project to be extended so more women can benefit.”

In another inspiring testimony, Alice Zinah, owner of the Alice Zinah Business Center, credited the project for helping her support her son’s university education abroad.

“Because of this project, my son will graduate from a university in India,” she proudly stated.

“Women must use this opportunity wisely by investing in their businesses and children’s education.”

She further encouraged women to focus on long-term investments and called for an increase in support to women entrepreneurs across Liberia.

Delivering welcome remarks on behalf of the community, one of the elders of Gbama Town expressed appreciation to the visiting delegation for recognizing the struggles and efforts of rural women in Gbarpolu County.

“We welcome you with our hearts,” the elder declared while presenting traditional kola nuts and chickens to the guests.

“Your presence here means a lot to our women and community.”

Speaking during the engagement, Oliver M. Lavelah, Women’s Economic and Livelihood Specialist representing the County Gender Coordinator, explained that the Liberia Women Empowerment Project focuses on strengthening women’s livelihoods, promoting girls’ education, and addressing harmful social norms affecting women and girls.

He emphasized that the project includes several components aimed at empowering women economically while encouraging community participation and social change.

Also speaking, Mirai Maruo, Senior Social Development Specialist at the World Bank, encouraged women to continue believing in their ability to transform their communities.

“You have the power to change things,” she told participants.

“What you are already doing is making a difference. Let us continue supporting one another to build peaceful and safe communities.”

Providing an overview of the project, Ambrose Forpoh, Livelihood Specialist, disclosed that the Liberia Women Empowerment Project is currently being implemented in six counties across Liberia, including Gbarpolu County.

According to him, the project supports Village Savings and Loan Associations, farmer-based organizations, livelihood groups, and individual women entrepreneurs through grants and capacity-building initiatives.

He revealed that Gbama Town currently has one of the highest numbers of beneficiaries in Gbarpolu County, with support already provided to eight VSLA groups and eleven individual women-owned businesses.

“The project is helping women build resilience, improve their livelihoods, and support their families,” Forpoh noted.

The field mission also included site visits, stakeholder discussions, project observations, and interactions with Champion of Change School Clubs aimed at promoting girls’ education and positive social behavior.

The Liberia Women Empowerment Project is a Government of Liberia initiative implemented by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection with funding support from the World Bank.

The project seeks to empower women and girls, strengthen community systems, promote gender equality, improve livelihoods, and support social inclusion across targeted counties.

As the visit concluded, community members expressed optimism that the project would continue expanding to reach more vulnerable women and families across Liberia.