The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), with the support of UN Women and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), on Thursday officially launched its Gender and Social Inclusion (GSI) Policy and a five-year Action Plan (2024-2029), aimed at promoting gender equality and social inclusion across Liberia.
The ceremony, which took place in Monrovia, gathered key stakeholders, including representatives from various ministries, agencies, and international partners such as the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning.
In her overview, Madam Cecelia J. Gould, the Director for Gender and Social Inclusion at the MIA, expressed her pride and excitement over the launch.
“It is with great pleasure and a deep sense of responsibility that I welcome all of you to this important occasion,” she said, emphasizing the significance of the moment. “Today marks a pivotal moment in our collective journey toward a more inclusive, equitable, and just society.”
The launch, according to Gould, symbolized the continuation of a vision for gender equality and the government’s commitment to realizing that vision. “This policy is not merely a document; it is the embodiment of years of collaboration, research, and foresight, reflecting the voices and needs of our communities, especially women and marginalized groups,” she explained.
The policy is a product of several years of development, initially started under the previous administration and aligned with the ongoing National Gender Policy (NGP).
Gould highlighted that while the groundwork for the National Gender Policy was laid during the previous administration, the current government remains fully committed to carrying it forward. “We are proud to launch the GSI Policy today as a continuation of the work done by previous governments. This marks the next step in fulfilling the promises made under the NGP.”
The policy addresses critical gender inequalities and social disparities that have hindered Liberia’s development. “The Gender and Social Inclusion Policy reflects a holistic approach to tackling these issues across all sectors of society, from education and healthcare to women’s economic empowerment and gender-based violence,” Gould said. “It provides a framework for empowering marginalized populations, promoting gender equality, and ensuring that social inclusion is embedded at every level of governance.”
She emphasized that the true work begins now—implementing the policy and translating its objectives into real-world changes. “This launch is not the end but the beginning of a critical phase,” she stated. “The real work starts with the implementation of this policy, and it is imperative that all sectors of society—government, civil society, the private sector, and most importantly, our citizens—work together to ensure that gender equality and social inclusion become living realities for all Liberians.”
The GSI Policy and Action Plan are designed to address issues such as gender-based violence, unequal access to education and healthcare, and the underrepresentation of women in leadership positions. With the policy now in place, the Ministry of Internal Affairs will spearhead its implementation, ensuring that gender equality and inclusion are prioritized in all aspects of governance.
In his remarks, Edward Mulbah, Deputy Minister for Research and Planning at MIA, officially launched the policy, describing it as a crucial step towards addressing Liberia’s long standing gender disparities.
“We recognize the importance of this policy in addressing the systemic barriers that have hindered women’s full participation in leadership and governance,” Mulbah said. “This policy aims to tackle these challenges and provide solutions that will make a tangible difference in the lives of women and marginalized groups.”
Mulbah also acknowledged the significant progress Liberia has made in gender equality over the years, particularly noting the establishment of gender inclusion units within ministries, agencies, and at the national level. “Years ago, there was no concept of gender inclusion, but today, we have seen the allocation of resources to address gender issues, a remarkable achievement,” he said.
However, he also recognized the challenges posed by entrenched cultural norms and traditions, which have often restricted women’s roles in society. “We are working to overcome these cultural barriers,” Mulbah stated, “and while resistance may arise at the community level, we are confident that we will continue to make progress.”
The importance of the GSI Policy as a “living document” was highlighted during the ceremony, with Mulbah stressing that it will evolve as the country learns from its implementation and adapts to new challenges. “This policy will not be static; it will evolve based on feedback and the lessons learned from its implementation,” he affirmed.
The Director of Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection, Anthony D. Boley also spoke at the event, expressing his department’s strong support for the new policy.
“We are pleased to be part of this landmark achievement,” Boley said. “We commend the Ministry of Internal Affairs for taking the lead in developing this policy, which is essential for mainstreaming gender into their work, particularly at the local governance level.”
Boley further emphasized the importance of addressing gender disparities in the policy’s implementation phase. “The policy’s strategic action areas are key to identifying and addressing gender gaps in governance, and we at the Ministry of Gender are committed to supporting MIA in every aspect of its implementation,” he said. “This is a bold step forward for gender equality, and we will be here to assist with capacity building in gender mainstreaming.”
UN Women Deputy Country Representative, Yemi Falayajo, also congratulated MIA on the launch of the policy, calling it a groundbreaking initiative. “This is a brave move,” she said. “The Ministry of Internal Affairs is responsible for upholding cultural norms, but now it is taking the bold step to change those very norms to make them more inclusive.”
Falayajo praised the policy’s focus on local governance and its potential to create ripple effects across Liberia’s political subdivisions. “This policy is strategic not only because of its scope but also because of the potential for change at the grassroots level,” she added. “We are proud to partner with MIA and other stakeholders to ensure that gender equality and social inclusion are integrated into Liberia’s governance structure.”
The support from UN Women and UNDP was critical in the policy’s development, and Falayajo expressed her optimism for its successful implementation. “We are excited to continue working closely with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and all our partners to ensure that this policy becomes a living, breathing reality,” she concluded.
