The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MOGCSP), will on this Friday November 1, 2024 commence an intensive Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Training for over 300 government employees under the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP).
This nine-day training will target staff of the Gender Social Inclusion unit of the Ministry of Agriculture (MOA) and MOGCSP and gender coordinators from all fifteen counties, to strengthen their skills and knowledge in promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment across Liberia.
This initiative is part of the LWEP, funded by a $44.6 million grant and loan from the International Development Association (IDA) of the World Bank, with a project duration spanning from 2022 to June 2027.
The training will cover essential topics to build institutional capacities for gender-focused initiatives. Key areas of focus include Participatory Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) System assessment, developing M&E Plans for the Street Children Project, and practical, on-the-job training to enhance monitoring throughout project implementation.
The program also includes a two-day MELKM (Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Knowledge Management) strategy session with stakeholders and specialized training for county-level data collection, enabling Gender Coordinators and other participants to apply best practices in information management systems.
Central to the LWEP is the enhancement of public institutions, specifically MOGCSP and MOA, to improve their capacity in collecting and managing sex-disaggregated data. This data will serve as a foundation for data-driven decision-making in gender equality programs and support Liberia’s adherence to international commitments regarding the advancement of women and girls. Through the MELKM Strategy and System, Liberia will establish a sustainable framework for gender data management aligned with the national development goals outlined in the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development.
MOGCSP, in collaboration with national and international stakeholders, will implement a MELKM Strategy and Plan for 2025-2027. This initiative will enable systematic assessment, continuous learning, and evidence-based decision-making across government programs, strengthening Liberia’s efforts to achieve gender equality. The training events will encompass a series of participatory assessments, hands-on workshops, and the integration of best practices in data management.
Expected outcomes from these capacity-building sessions include an established MELKM System, a network of empowered civil servants, and strengthened coordination capabilities for MOGCSP in advancing gender data management nationwide. LWEP stands as a testament to the Government of Liberia’s commitment to creating an inclusive and data-informed society that uplifts women and girls.
The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection further lauds the World Bank’s IDA for this invaluable support and reaffirms its commitment to making a lasting impact on the lives of women and girls in Liberia through the Liberia Women Empowerment Project.
