Published: September 17, 2025
MONROVIA — The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has launched its first wave of livelihood grants under the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP), disbursing US$137,000 to 43 women-led groups and businesses in Gbarpolu and Rural Montserrado counties.
By Blamo N. Toe & Thomas Kojo Roulhac
Officials hailed the initiative as a milestone in advancing gender equality. But even as the cash reached women across villages and farming communities, questions emerged over whether the funding can spark lasting change in a country where women still face systemic barriers.
“A Strategic Investment”
“This first tranche of payments is not just financial support. It’s a strategic investment in resilience, innovation and community development,” Gender Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie said Tuesday.
The ministry said the grants — ranging from $1,000 to $8,000 — will fund climate-smart micro-projects aimed at boosting household income, food security and sustainability. Each group received half of its approved allocation, with the balance tied to verification of proper spending.
In Gbarpolu County, the funds were distributed to 16 Village Savings and Loan Associations, six Individual Enterprises and three Farmers-Based Organizations across Bopolu, Bokomu and Gbarma districts. In Rural Montserrado, 14 VSLAs and four IEs in Careysburg, Todee and St. Paul River districts received grants.
Horace-Kollie also announced an additional $30,500 earmarked for equipment to expand productivity and strengthen value chains.
A $44.6 Million Project
Backed by the World Bank
LWEP is a five-year, $44.6 million initiative launched in 2022. By 2027, it aims to support 36,000 women-led businesses with $18 million in grants and directly impact 267,200 people across six counties.
The program’s scope goes beyond cash support. It includes community mobilization against gender-based violence, school safety audits, financial literacy training and institutional reforms.
“We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to women’s empowerment and gender equality,” Horace-Kollie said. “Every dollar invested must deliver measurable impact for women, households and communities across Liberia.”
Lofty Goals, Lingering Concerns
The ministry has framed LWEP as “a bold and inclusive initiative” meant to transform the lives of women and girls. Officials tout its community-driven approach, spanning 498 communities across six counties, with projects touching livelihoods, education, healthcare and social norm change.
Yet some policy analysts warn the initiative risks becoming another short-lived donor-backed program if structural challenges aren’t addressed. Liberia’s poor infrastructure, limited market access and weak monitoring systems have historically undermined small-scale grant projects.
“Cash support is welcome, but without tackling corruption, land rights, and entrenched gender-based violence, these women-led groups may not survive once the funding dries up,” said one Monrovia-based development expert.
Discussion about this post