Project Description:

This project invests in women to consolidate peace and build prosperity in Liberia’s at risk communities by increasing the economic security of at least 4,000 women and girls, improving the relationship between regional traders and the security sector, and increasing women’s participation in the management of community natural resources and land.

Project Outputs and Key Activities:

Within five key concession areas and seven border counties, the project will secure increased economic security for women, defined by their ability to generate and manage their own income.  4,000  rural women, young women and cross border traders will participate in community-based training programmes in literacy/numeracy, business skills, financial management.  All graduates will be trained in financial services and assisted to form Savings and Loan Associations.  To complement this training and focus on the rights and security of women traders, the project will strengthen partnerships between the Mano River Union, Government of Liberia security sector and Association of Women in Cross Border Trade to foster traders’ increased confidence in the security sector and understanding of proper security and regional trade procedures and protocols. Through direct linkages with the security hub, women in cross border trade will gain access to reporting mechanisms for instances of harassment, corruption or abuse.  Finally, through innovative outreach and sensitization methods, women in targeted communities will gain the knowledge and capacity to demand respect of their rights in community management of land and natural resources. These activities will be supported by the establishment of a land desk in the Ministry of Gender and Development and will link closely with women’s peace building forums to deliver tailored sensitization materials to community women on specific natural resource, environment and land issues that affect their livelihoods and the future of their communities.