Sweden Embassy and ActionAid Liberia Visit Gbarpolu to Spotlight Community-Led Change

ActionAid Liberia, together with the Embassy of Sweden and local partners, departs Monrovia on April 29 to undertaking a joint mission to Gbarpolu County to highlight the impact of the Just and Equal Communities (JEC) Project.

Supported by SIDA through the Embassy of Sweden, the JEC Project has, over the past five years, driven transformative change across more than 50 communities in Montserrado, Gbarpolu, Bong, Grand Gedeh, and Margibi Counties. Implemented in partnership with Domafiegn, LIWEN, WOCDAL, SAIL, and NATPAH, the initiative focuses on advancing gender equality, promoting Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), and eliminating harmful traditional practices.

The project’s impact is evident. More than 20,000 people have been reached through grassroots advocacy, youth forums, and women-led movements. Communities are reporting reduced early marriage and domestic violence, stronger responses to sexual and gender-based violence, increased school retention among girls, and growing public commitments to end FGM.

During the mission, the delegation is engaging directly with those driving this change.

In Bopolu, discussions with county leaders and the County Council are strengthening collaboration on development priorities. The team is also meeting with the Gbarpolu Development Matters CBO, one of several community groups sustaining advocacy efforts and breaking the silence around SRHR and SGBV. These local actors are not only shifting mindsets but also integrating livelihood initiatives to sustain their work beyond the project.

A key highlight of the visit is the Traditional Arts School in Parker Town, Gbarma District an innovative initiative led by Domafiegn and community stakeholders. The school offers girls a safe space to learn cultural and livelihood skills, providing a powerful alternative to harmful practices such as FGM. What was once exclusively taught in traditional settings linked to FGM is now being redefined, opening new opportunities for girls while preserving cultural heritage.

The delegation will also witness the official launch of the Gbarma District Feminist Movement, a network of over 100 grassroots women متحد in advocating for their rights and challenging harmful gender norms. Emerging from movement-building efforts under the JEC Project, these women are now leading collective action for SRHR, leadership, and social justice in their communities.

This joint mission underscores the importance of locally led solutions and sustained partnerships. As the JEC Project approaches its conclusion, its legacy is clear: empowered communities, stronger systems of accountability, and a growing movement for gender equality and human rights in Liberia.