18 Todee Women Generate Over $400,000 LD and Invest in Cassava Farming From Support of ActionAid JEC Project
Through ActionAid JEC Project Support
ActionAid Liberia’s Women’s Economic Empowerment Rights priority area continues to drive meaningful change by supporting women to build sustainable livelihoods, strengthen financial independence, and challenge the structural inequalities that limit their potential.
At the heart of this effort is the belief that when women have control over economic resources, they are better positioned to lead change within their households and communities.
In Todee Rural, Montserrado County, this vision is becoming a reality through the Just and Equal Communities (JEC) Project. Implemented by ActionAid Liberia with support from the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA) through the Embassy of Sweden in Monrovia, the project is enabling women to transition from vulnerability to empowerment.
On April 15, 2026, a group of 18 women predominantly former Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) practitioners, now known as “Change Champions” celebrated a major milestone: the successful sharing of funds from their Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA). Together, they generated $448,000 Liberian Dollars, nearly doubling the 250,000 Liberian Dollars raised in their first year.
Todee women’s achievement reflect a shift in both economic status and social identity. These women, once linked to harmful traditional practices, are now leading change by investing in productive and sustainable livelihoods. Using proceeds from their savings, they have engaged in cassava farming and palm oil production ventures that not only increase their incomes but also contribute to food security and local economic growth.
The project continues to address deep-rooted issues such as gender inequality, harmful cultural practices, and limited access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), while promoting inclusive development and community-led change.
Through sustained advocacy, awareness, and capacity-building initiatives, the JEC Project is helping to break the culture of silence around Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), early marriage, and FGM.
Community structures, including Girls and Boys Forums and local organizations, are actively engaging residents and driving behavioral change.
The story of the 18 women in Todee is a clear example of what happens when economic empowerment meets collective action. By strengthening their financial capacity through VSLA, these women have gained more than income they have gained confidence, voice, and agency.
As ActionAid Liberia continues to prioritize women’s economic empowerment, stories like this serve as a powerful reminder: investing in women is not only a pathway to individual success, but also a catalyst for building just, equal, and resilient communities.