Plan International Liberia (PIL) in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has ended a three-day workshop under the title “Liberia Women Empowerment Program”. The workshop was intended to review progress and way forward in preparation for year two of the project implementation.
The project is a five-year initiative aims to improve the lives of women across Liberia through economic empowerment, capacity building, and enhanced protection mechanisms. The event brought together consultants, government officials, and consortium partners to reflect on the first year of implementation and prepare for the upcoming midterm review scheduled for October.
Speaking Friday, September 19, 2025 at the close of the workshop, Atty. Laura Golakeh, Deputy Minister for Gender, expressed pride in the progress achieved over the past year but underscored that much remains to be done.
“This meeting comes at a critical time as we prepare for the upcoming midterm review. For those who have worked with similar World Bank projects, you know this stage is often referred to as the ‘make or break’ moment. We must carefully assess whether our activities are on track to achieve the Project Development Objective.”
Deputy Minister Golakeh narrated that transparency, accountability, and visibility are key pillars for success. She reminded participants that the project, which is expected to benefit more than 267,000 Liberians across six counties, is financed largely through loans.
She stated, “This is not just about reports or workshops; it is about people. The lives of women and communities are directly in our hands. Every dollar and every partnership must be directed toward real and sustainable change.” She also highlighted the critical role of county gender coordinators, describing them as essential to ensuring the project remains community-driven and responsive to local realities.
Also, speaking, Plan International Liberia Country Director, Miriam Murray, said the Liberia Women Empowerment Project is a government-owned program supported by the World Bank. Murray explained that this project is funded by a loan, not a grant. “It is results-driven: we are paid for what we deliver, and we are accountable for the quality of our work. That accountability must remain at the forefront of our minds.”
The Country Director of Plan International talked about harmonization and coordination among partners, improved monitoring and reporting, strengthened visibility of the Ministry of Gender’s leadership role, and increased beneficiary feedback to ensure that community voices are central to implementation during the workshop.
