YARPAH TOWN, River Cess – In a bid to empower vulnerable women in rural communities, the Rural Integrated Center for Community Empowerment (RICCE) on September 4, 2024 awarded grants to 28 women to launch their own businesses.
This financial empowerment of women and girls is crucial in supporting community-led initiatives that align with the broader objectives of improving forest governance, fostering sustainable livelihoods, and ensuring inclusive participation in conservation efforts, particularly among gender and youth groups, according to RICCE’s Program manager Madam Renee Gibson.
The grant recipients, selected through a rigorous application process, represent diverse backgrounds including widows, orphans and single mothers. RICCE provided not only financial support but also training sessions on business management and entrepreneurship, ensuring that the women are equipped with the necessary skills to succeed.
Each of the women received $US125 in its Liberian Dollars equivalent. During a ceremony held to celebrate the grant distribution, RICCE’s Gender officer, Madam MaryRose Jacobs emphasized the importance of supporting women’s rights and economic empowerment in rural areas.
“Investing in women is investing in families and communities. We believe these grants will enable these women to uplift themselves and inspire others,” she stated.
The response from the recipients has been overwhelmingly positive. Many expressed their gratitude and excitement about the opportunities that lie ahead.
Esther Kanga, a single mother of six, shared her gratitude for the opportunity. To her, this will go a long way for her and her family.
“This money means everything to me and my children, said Madam Kangar. “At least from the profit, I will be able to pay my children’s school fees and do other things for their future.”
Glady Vah expresses gratitude as receives the grant: photo by Eric Opa Doue
RICCE with support from PADEV isimplementing its UNDP Community-Based Forest Management and Protected Areas (CBFM) Project in 17 communities in River Cess County.
Early this year RICCE established Village Saving and Loan Associations (VSLAs) in ten communities following days of training in Weasein Clan, Nyorwein District. Following the establishment, RICCE made available two thousand four hundred United States dollars (U$2400.00US) as “seed funds” to the ten VSLAs to strengthen their loan portfolios. Each VLSA received two hundred and forty United States dollars ($U240.00 US) along with VSLA materials.
In August this year, RICCE established two cassava clusters of 64 members in 17 communities. These women were trained in climate-smart Agriculture and later trained in Cassava Value Addition. The two clusters were provided with two cassava processing machines to enhance their productivity.
As the women embark on their entrepreneurial journeys, RICCE plans to monitor their progress and provide ongoing support. This initiative marks a crucial step toward fostering economic resilience and empowering women in Liberia’s rural regions. The organization hopes to replicate this model in other communities, further enhancing the impact on women’s rights and economic development throughout the country.
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