Jacqueline Mulbah, a 45-year-old mother of three and a member of the Meni Nana Farming Cooperative in Bong County, knows these challenges all too well.
Like many women in her community, Jacqueline struggled to access the resources needed to expand her farming activities. Limited access to finance and modern agricultural support made it difficult to invest in quality seeds, increase production, and improve her family's income.
That began to change in 2023 through the Digital Inclusion for Women's Economic Empowerment Project, implemented by UN Women in partnership with the Orange Foundation.
As part of the initiative, UN Women collaborated with the Central Bank of Liberia to digitally link Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) to formal financial services through Orange Money and banking institutions, while also providing digital and financial literacy training and seed grants.
The project targeted 450 women farmers from 15 cooperatives across Bong and Nimba Counties, helping them improve access to financial services, digital tools, and credit opportunities. It also strengthened cooperative structures and enhanced participants' knowledge of disaster risk reduction.
For Jacqueline, the impact was immediate and life changing.
Through the project, she was able to access a loan that allowed her to purchase improved seeds and expand her farming activities, an opportunity that had once seemed out of reach.
Today, Jacqueline cultivates more than 10 hectares of land, primarily producing vegetables. Increased production has translated into higher earnings, enabling her to better support her family and invest in her children's education.
"2023 was a turning point for many other women and me in Gbarnga City," Jacqueline says. "Today, I feel proud of myself. I can contribute to the well-being of my household, and I am also able to take part in community activities."
Her monthly income has increased significantly, rising from less than USD 150 to more than USD 350. This improved financial stability has helped her meet her family's daily needs with greater confidence and consistency.
Like many other women participating in the project, Jacqueline also uses the Buy from Women e-commerce platform to market and sell her produce. Developed by UN Women, the multilingual digital platform connects women entrepreneurs to markets, information, and financial services while helping them grow their businesses and increase profitability.
Access to the platform has expanded Jacqueline's market reach and reduced post-harvest losses, allowing her to generate a more stable and reliable income.
Beyond the individual benefits, the project is creating positive ripple effects across participating communities. Women now have greater access to financial services and digital tools that enable them to invest in agriculture and small businesses, strengthening local economies and promoting greater economic resilience.
For Jacqueline, however, the most significant transformation goes beyond income.
"I feel more independent now," she says. "When women are empowered economically, we are able to speak up, make decisions, and contribute meaningfully to our communities."
Jacqueline's story reflects a broader truth: when women gain access to financial services, digital technologies, and economic opportunities, they do more than transform their own lives—they help build stronger families, more resilient communities, and a more inclusive future for Liberia.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of UN Women - Africa.
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