The Embassy of India in Liberia recently convened a significant meeting with members of the Women’s Legislative Caucus of Liberia (WLCL) to bolster collaborative efforts in women’s empowerment, parliamentary exchange, and capacity building. This high-level engagement, held at the Indian Embassy in Monrovia, underscored the shared commitment of both nations to advance women’s leadership and gender equality. The meeting, led by Rep. Ellen A. Attoh-Wreh, Chairperson of the WLCL, and attended by eight other Caucus members from both legislative houses, served as a platform to discuss existing partnerships and explore new avenues for cooperation. A key outcome of the meeting was the recognition of a newly approved initiative under the IBSA Fund (India, Brazil, South Africa), a tripartite development cooperation mechanism. This $1 million project, implemented in partnership with UN Women, aims to strengthen the WLCL’s capacity to promote gender-responsive legislation and governance in Liberia.
The IBSA-funded initiative represents a substantial investment in advancing women’s rights and leadership within Liberia’s legislative framework. It will focus on developing a comprehensive action plan for legislative reforms targeting discriminatory laws. This includes addressing critical areas such as sexual and reproductive health rights, women’s equal access to economic resources and employment opportunities, and supporting informal education and economic empowerment, particularly for women and girls in rural areas. The project will provide tailored capacity development programs for WLCL members, equipping them with the necessary skills and knowledge to effectively advocate for gender-sensitive policies and drive meaningful change within the Liberian legislative system.
The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for the WLCL to express their gratitude for India’s ongoing support for gender-focused development initiatives under the UN South-South Cooperation framework. This framework facilitates collaboration among developing countries, enabling the sharing of knowledge, expertise, and resources to address common development challenges. India’s commitment to this framework reinforces its dedication to promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment not only within its own borders but also in partnership with other developing nations. The collaboration with Liberia exemplifies this commitment, contributing to the advancement of women’s leadership and the creation of a more equitable and inclusive society.
Ambassador Manoj Bihari Verma, representing the Indian Embassy in Liberia, reciprocated the appreciation, thanking the Caucus for the warm reception extended to the Indian All-Party Parliamentary Delegation during their visit to Liberia earlier in the year. He also acknowledged Liberia’s solidarity with India in the global fight against terrorism, highlighting the strong bilateral ties between the two nations. This mutual recognition of shared values and common goals strengthens the foundation for future collaborations and reinforces the commitment to fostering a strong and enduring partnership.
The Caucus members expressed their keen interest in leveraging future opportunities for exchange and training programs in collaboration with Indian institutions. These opportunities will offer valuable insights into best practices in legislative processes, gender-responsive policymaking, and advocacy strategies. By facilitating knowledge sharing and capacity building, these exchanges will empower Liberian women legislators to effectively champion gender equality and drive transformative change within their communities. The meeting symbolized a crucial step towards deepening the collaboration between India and Liberia, specifically in empowering women legislators and fostering a more inclusive and equitable legislative landscape.
The participants from the Women’s Legislative Caucus of Liberia included key figures such as Rep. Ellen A. Attoh-Wreh, Chairperson and Representative of District #3, Bong County; Rep. Prescilla Abram-Cooper, Co-Chair, National Affairs and Representative, District #5, Montserrado County; and several other prominent representatives and senators. Their presence demonstrated the importance of the meeting and the commitment of the WLCL to strengthening its partnership with the Indian Embassy. The engagement concluded on a positive note, with both parties reaffirming their dedication to further collaboration and the exploration of new avenues of cooperation. This collaborative spirit lays the groundwork for continued progress in achieving shared goals of gender equality, women’s empowerment, and sustainable development.
