Liberia: 826 Community Members Identified for Participation in Upcoming Inclusive Skills Training and Livelihood Interventions

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Across Montserrado, Nimba, and Lofa Counties, an important step toward women's economic empowerment and the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence is taking place.

For many women and girls, poverty, limited access to education and livelihood opportunities, harmful traditional practices, and gender inequality continue to restrict their ability to participate fully in economic and community life. Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), former female genital mutilation (FGM) practitioners, girls at risk, women living with disabilities, and female-headed households often face multiple barriers that leave them vulnerable to exclusion and economic hardship.

Today, through the Spotlight Initiative 2.0, supported by the European Union and UN Women Liberia and implemented by Youth Crime Watch of Liberia (YCWL), new opportunities are being created for some of the most vulnerable women and girls in Liberia.

The process began not with training sessions or livelihood support, but with community engagement and dialogue. Between 20–26 May 2026, YCWL convened stakeholder engagement meetings in Vezala, Lofa County; Banquelleh, Nimba County; and Block Path Community, Montserrado County.

The meetings brought together representatives from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, local government authorities, civil society organizations, community leaders, religious leaders, representatives of persons with disabilities, SGBV survivors, girls at risk, former Zoes, practicing Zoes, and women's groups.

Together, participants discussed community challenges, economic opportunities, and the importance of ensuring that women and girls most affected by violence, harmful practices, and economic exclusion are not left behind. Through these consultations, stakeholders helped shape the beneficiary identification process and strengthened community ownership of the intervention.

Following the consultations, YCWL conducted community-based beneficiary mapping, identification, verification, and validation exercises across the three counties. Community structures, survivor networks, women's groups, traditional leaders, youth representatives, and local authorities worked together to identify eligible beneficiaries using transparent and agreed selection criteria.

As a result, a total of 826 beneficiaries were identified and validated for participation in upcoming inclusive skills training and livelihood interventions.

Progress Toward Sustainable Empowerment

Although this marks the beginning of the economic empowerment journey, significant progress has already been achieved.

The stakeholder engagement process strengthened collaboration among government institutions, civil society organizations, community leaders, survivor networks, women's groups, and development partners. More importantly, it established a verified and validated beneficiary database that will guide the delivery of skills training and livelihood opportunities to vulnerable women and girls.

The process also created space for important conversations around women's rights, economic empowerment, the prevention of SGBV, and the abandonment of harmful practices. Former Zoes, religious leaders, traditional leaders, male allies, and survivors actively participated in discussions about creating safer and more inclusive communities.

Creating Pathways to Opportunity

For many participants, being identified as beneficiaries represents more than enrollment in a future training program; it represents hope, opportunity, and a pathway toward economic independence.

"This process has given us hope. We now feel recognized and included in opportunities that can help us support ourselves and our families. We look forward to learning skills that will improve our lives and strengthen our communities, “Ruth Akoi” A Zoe from Lofa County

For women and girls who have long faced exclusion, access to livelihood opportunities can mean greater financial independence, improved well-being, and a stronger voice within their households and communities.

Looking Ahead

While challenges remain, the foundation for lasting change has now been established. With a verified beneficiary database in place, YCWL and its partners will move forward with beneficiary registration, skills training, and economic empowerment interventions designed to improve livelihoods and reduce vulnerability to violence and harmful practices.

As Spotlight Initiative 2.0 continues its work across Liberia, more women and girls will have opportunities to strengthen their economic resilience, participate meaningfully in community life, and become agents of positive change in their communities.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women - Africa.