MONROVIA – As Liberia celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD), Gender Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie highlighted the government’s progress in advancing women’s empowerment. However, beneath the official celebrations, activists and civil society organizations argue that systemic inequalities remain entrenched, with little evidence that the government’s policies are improving the lives of ordinary Liberian women.
While Minister Horace-Kollie emphasized the government’s commitment to gender equality, critics say the reality for most women tells a different story. Data from the 2023 Liberia Poverty Assessment reveals that women, especially in rural areas, continue to face severe economic disadvantages. Despite making up 50.3% of the population, only 35% of women participate in formal employment, according to the 2020 Liberia Labor Force Survey. The remaining 94% of working women are trapped in the informal economy, where they receive little protection under the law and earn significantly less than their male counterparts.
Gender-based violence (GBV) remains a persistent issue despite government initiatives. While the Ministry of Gender has reopened the National GBV 116 Call Center to support survivors, critics argue that the services remain underfunded and inaccessible in rural areas where many victims live. According to activists, harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM) continue unchecked due to the government’s unwillingness to enforce legal prohibitions.
A gender rights advocate speaking anonymously questioned the government’s sincerity. “Every year, we hear promises on International Women’s Day, but the situation on the ground is unchanged. Survivors of violence are still denied justice, and many women lack basic economic opportunities,” the advocate said.
Although Minister Horace-Kollie pointed to improved female representation in leadership, with women holding 31% of deputy minister positions and 40% of county superintendent roles, analysts warn that these appointments do not reflect true political empowerment. “It is one thing to appoint women to visible positions, but it is another to dismantle the deep-rooted barriers that prevent them from holding real decision-making power,” noted a political analyst familiar with recent debates on gender reforms.
The Ministry of Gender has disbursed over US$1 million through the Liberia Women Empowerment Project, targeting 700 communities and 36,000 women. However, concerns remain about whether these funds truly reach the most marginalized women or are merely distributed to politically connected groups. Martin Kollie, a prominent Liberian social justice advocate, raised concerns over transparency. “Without independent oversight, these empowerment projects risk becoming public relations tools rather than delivering real benefits to women on the ground,” he warned.
Despite the government securing €20 million in financing through the EU’s Spotlight Initiative 2.0 to combat GBV, doubts persist about whether the funds will lead to substantial change. Critics argue that without serious political will and accountability, these resources could be lost to bureaucracy while Liberian women continue to suffer.
As Liberia commemorates the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration, activists argue that real change requires more than symbolic gestures. They call for the government to enforce existing laws, strengthen legal protections, and address cultural norms that perpetuate inequality.
“The government’s words are polished, but the reality for women across Liberia is still grim,” a women’s rights leader said. “Until we see meaningful reforms and consistent enforcement of laws, gender equality remains an illusion.”
