ActionAid Liberia & Partners Climax Joint Cultural Festival
Empowering Women Through Culture and Heritage with Renew Calls to Protect girls and Women's Health & Rights ival
In partnership with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Gender, children and Social Protection, and with support from the Embassy of Sweden, ActionAid Liberia (AAL) over the weekend concluded a joint cultural festival in central Liberia, Gbarnga City.
Held under the theme, ”Celebrating Culture and Empowering Change,” AAL’s country director, Madam Elizabeth Gbah Johnson described the festival as one that celebrates tradition but at the same time, a call to action for the protection and advancement of women’s and girls’ rights in Liberia.
At the heart of the festival was a passionate address Madam Elizabeth Gbah Johnson, emphasized the urgent need for collective action to safeguard the health and rights of women and girls.
“This festival is not just about coming together to celebrate and dance,” she said. “It’s about building a movement for dialogue and unity one that uplifts and empowers our girls and women. Our culture is rich and unique, but we must be intentional about preserving what uplifts and reforming what harms.”
AAL Country Director also highlighted the impact of ActionAid’s Just and Equal Communities Project, now in its fifth year with support from the Swedish Embassy. She noted that the project is currently working with over 400 traditional women, many of whom have been economically empowered through village savings and loan schemes.
“In one community alone, a woman was able to generate nearly a million Liberian dollars through our support. That’s the power of investing in women,” she added.
AAL Country Director also highlighted the impact of ActionAid’s Just and Equal Communities Project, now in its fifth year with support from the Swedish Embassy. She noted that the project is currently working with over 400 traditional women, many of whom have been economically empowered through village savings and loan schemes.
“In one community alone, a woman was able to generate nearly a million Liberian dollars through our support. That’s the power of investing in women,” she added.
ActionAid Liberia
Liberia’s National Cultural Ambassador, Ambassador Kerkura Kamara, also graced the occasion, lauding the initiative for using culture as a tool for social transformation.
“Let our dances open global doors for us. Let our oral history become part of our school curriculum. Let our festivals become drivers of tourism,” he said.
Ambassador Kamara called for policy reforms that protect women and girls while preserving and promoting Liberia’s rich cultural heritage. He urged the government to invest in the arts, support cultural programs, and recognize the vital role of artists, youth, and elders in national development.
“Culture is a human right. In a time when indigenous languages are disappearing and sacred sites are being destroyed, we must stand firm in our commitment to preserving what makes us who we are.” The cultural festival focused on promoting practices that protect and elevate women while rejecting those that perpetuate harm. One of the key messages was the need to
“Let our dances open global doors for us. Let our oral history become part of our school curriculum. Let our festivals become drivers of tourism,” he said.
Ambassador Kamara called for policy reforms that protect women and girls while preserving and promoting Liberia’s rich cultural heritage. He urged the government to invest in the arts, support cultural programs, and recognize the vital role of artists, youth, and elders in national development.
“Culture is a human right. In a time when indigenous languages are disappearing and sacred sites are being destroyed, we must stand firm in our commitment to preserving what makes us who we are.” The cultural festival focused on promoting practices that protect and elevate women while rejecting those that perpetuate harm. One of the key messages was the need to
ActionAid Liberia
Liberia’s National Cultural Ambassador, Ambassador Kerkura Kamara, also graced the occasion, lauding the initiative for using culture as a tool for social transformation.
“Let our dances open global doors for us. Let our oral history become part of our school curriculum. Let our festivals become drivers of tourism,” he said.
Ambassador Kamara called for policy reforms that protect women and girls while preserving and promoting Liberia’s rich cultural heritage. He urged the government to invest in the arts, support cultural programs, and recognize the vital role of artists, youth, and elders in national development.
“Culture is a human right. In a time when indigenous languages are disappearing and sacred sites are being destroyed, we must stand firm in our commitment to preserving what makes us who we are.” The cultural festival focused on promoting practices that protect and elevate women while rejecting those that perpetuate harm. One of the key messages was the need to move beyond harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM), without discarding the positive aspects of Liberian heritage.
Madam Jasedeh Gbarzon, President of the Grand Gedeh County Rural Women’s Association and keynote speaker at the event, delivered a resounding message as saying, “Ending FGM does not mean ending our culture, it means cleaning it. It means honoring what is good and removing what is harmful. Culture should be a tool for growth, not oppression.” Madam Gbarzon said in her address.
The festival showcased rich traditional performances from across Liberia. In a friendly cultural competition, Bong County emerged as the winner, followed by Montserrado, Grand Gedeh, and Gbarpolu. Winners received both cash prize and certificates of honor for their outstanding performances.
He closed with a powerful message of hope saying “Let the child who beats the drum in Salala be seen as a future cultural ambassador. Let the girl who dances not just be seen as an entertainer, but as a guardian of national identity. Together, we are part of a rising culture.”
The Joint Cultural Festival was not just a one-time event, it marked a significant moment in a growing movement to blend tradition with transformation, ensuring that women and girls are safe, empowered, and central to Liberia’s cultural narrative.
ActionAid Liberia and its partners reaffirm their commitment to working with traditional leaders, government institutions, and local communities to drive sustainable change that honors culture while advancing human rights.
“Let our dances open global doors for us. Let our oral history become part of our school curriculum. Let our festivals become drivers of tourism,” he said.
Ambassador Kamara called for policy reforms that protect women and girls while preserving and promoting Liberia’s rich cultural heritage. He urged the government to invest in the arts, support cultural programs, and recognize the vital role of artists, youth, and elders in national development.
“Culture is a human right. In a time when indigenous languages are disappearing and sacred sites are being destroyed, we must stand firm in our commitment to preserving what makes us who we are.” The cultural festival focused on promoting practices that protect and elevate women while rejecting those that perpetuate harm. One of the key messages was the need to move beyond harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM), without discarding the positive aspects of Liberian heritage.
Madam Jasedeh Gbarzon, President of the Grand Gedeh County Rural Women’s Association and keynote speaker at the event, delivered a resounding message as saying, “Ending FGM does not mean ending our culture, it means cleaning it. It means honoring what is good and removing what is harmful. Culture should be a tool for growth, not oppression.” Madam Gbarzon said in her address.
The festival showcased rich traditional performances from across Liberia. In a friendly cultural competition, Bong County emerged as the winner, followed by Montserrado, Grand Gedeh, and Gbarpolu. Winners received both cash prize and certificates of honor for their outstanding performances.
He closed with a powerful message of hope saying “Let the child who beats the drum in Salala be seen as a future cultural ambassador. Let the girl who dances not just be seen as an entertainer, but as a guardian of national identity. Together, we are part of a rising culture.”
The Joint Cultural Festival was not just a one-time event, it marked a significant moment in a growing movement to blend tradition with transformation, ensuring that women and girls are safe, empowered, and central to Liberia’s cultural narrative.
ActionAid Liberia and its partners reaffirm their commitment to working with traditional leaders, government institutions, and local communities to drive sustainable change that honors culture while advancing human rights.
ActionAid Liberia