Decentralizing IWD: ActionAid Liberia Uniting Rural and Urban Women to Advance Rights and Social Justice
Despite Liberia’s Legal Protection Gaps
Monrovia, Liberia – March 6, 2026, Tarry Town, Monrovia
ActionAid Liberia joins the global community in commemorating International Women’s Day (IWD) 2026 under the global theme “Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls.” This year’s theme calls for concrete actions to dismantle structural barriers that prevent women and girls from fully enjoying their rights and accessing justice.
The global theme aligns strongly with ActionAid Liberia’s Country Strategy Paper II “Action for Rights and Social Justice,” reaffirming the organization’s commitment to advancing gender equality, promoting women’s leadership, and strengthening social justice for communities across Liberia.
At the national level, ActionAid Liberia also aligns with the theme declared by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection: “Give to Gain; Support Women for National Development.”
ActionAid Liberia believes that investing in women is not charity it is a proven development strategy that drives inclusive growth, strengthens institutions, and produces long-term social transformation.
Advancing Women’s Rights, Justice, and Economic Empowerment
Despite global progress in gender equality, the struggle for women’s rights remains far from over. According to UN Women, women globally enjoy only 64 percent of the legal rights available to men, and at the current pace it could take 286 years to close the legal protection gap. Liberia faces similar challenges. Women remain underrepresented in decision-making spaces. For example, women currently make up just about 11% of Liberia’s National Legislature, highlighting the significant gender gap in political representation and leadership.
For ActionAid Liberia, rights without justice are meaningless. Women and girls must have access to justice systems that are fair, accessible, and responsive to their needs.
Throughout the month of March, ActionAid Liberia is organizing and supporting a series of activities that highlight the impact of investing in women and girls across communities.
ActionAid Liberia is amplifying the voices and achievements of grassroots women through district feminist movements, Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), and community women’s groups supported under the Just and Equal Communities (JEC) Project. 22 VSLA clubs have been established benefiting 676 women, predominantly former FGM practitioners, survivors and women from poor grassroots and semi-urban communities.
These initiatives are demonstrating how women’s economic empowerment is transforming households, strengthening community resilience, and expanding women’s participation in local governance.
In collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, ActionAid Liberia today co-hosted an inclusive mentorship conference bringing together young women leaders and experienced feminist advocates.
The event featured members of the Young Urban Women’s Movement (YUWM) and serve as a platform for strengthening intergenerational feminist leadership, mentorship, and solidarity.
On the official day of the IWD global celebration, ActionAid Liberia facilitated the participation of grassroots women leaders in the national International Women’s Day celebration organized by the government under the theme “Give to Gain; Support Women for National Development.”
Ensuring grassroots participation is central to ActionAid’s commitment to placing women most affected by inequality at the center of national conversations on development.
Throughout the month, AAL is working with implementing partners including Liberia Women Empowerment Network (LIWEN), Women and Children Development Association of Liberia (WOCDAL), Domageign, and NAPATHA. While under the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP), for which ActionAid Liberia under the consortium is implementing component 1b, will carries on series across Grand Cape Mount and the Gbarpolu Counties.
Together, these partners are hosting transformative intergenerational dialogues, bringing together women’s groups, youth movements, and community leaders to discuss women’s rights, economic empowerment, and gender justice.
Strengthening Women’s Leadership in Institutions
The forum will serve as a safe and empowering space for women within the institution to share experiences, build solidarity, and advocate for inclusive decision-making and gender equality in the workplace.
Speaking at the launch, AAL’s Women’s Rights Manager emphasized the importance of collective action:
“Women’s forums are powerful spaces that transform fear into courage. When women stand together, they can advocate for policies that promote equality, dignity, and justice.”
Engagement with National Defense Gender Reform
Ahead of International Women’s Day, ActionAid Liberia also participated in the Ministry of National Defense IWD celebration, where the organization continues to support the revision of the Ministry’s Gender Policy, reinforcing commitments to gender equality within Liberia’s security sector.
Global Advocacy at CSW70
ActionAid Liberia is this year supporting the hosting of a local side event supporting Liberian participation in the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70), which focuses on strengthening access to justice for women and girls worldwide.
The CSW70 which begins to today Monday, March 9 to 20, 2026 at United Nations Headquarters in New York is featuring official meetings, plenaries, round tables, and side events held under the theme "Ensuring and strengthening access to justice for all women and girls, including promoting inclusive and equitable legal systems, eliminating discriminatory laws, policies, and practices, and addressing structural barriers.
The CSW seeks to ensure women’s full and effective participation and decision-making in public life, as well as the elimination of violence, for achieving gender equality and the empowerment of all women and girls.
Hence, this week as ActionAid Liberia commemorates International Women’s by calling on government institutions, development partners, civil society, and the private sector to increase investments in women and girls as a pathway to national development.
Empowering women is not only about addressing inequality it is about unlocking the full potential of Liberia. AAL believes that when women gain access to resources, leadership opportunities, and justice, entire communities thrive.
ActionAid Liberia remains committed to working alongside women, youth movements, and grassroots communities to advance rights, demand justice, and drive action for all women and girls.