Published: March 9, 2026
Cllr. Charlyne Brumskine
Paynesville — Prominent Liberian lawyer and politician Cllr. Charlyne M. Brumskine has called on women across Liberia to unite, support one another, and contribute meaningfully to national development, declaring that the country’s progress depends heavily on the strength and solidarity of its women.
Brumskine, daughter of fallen (deceased) lawyer and politician, Cllr, Charles Walker Brumskine, delivered the message Friday as the lead speaker during Liberia’s national celebration of International Women’s Day held at the Samuel Kanyon Doe Sports Complex in Paynesville.
The event, held under the theme “Give to Gain: Support Women for National Development,” brought together thousands of women from various walks of life, including government officials, diplomats, civil society leaders, youth groups and international partners. Addressing the massive gathering, Brumskine emphasized the historic role women have played in shaping Liberia’s destiny, particularly during the country’s civil conflict. “When our nation was torn apart by civil war, it was the everyday Liberian women — the market women, the mothers, the prayer warriors — who stood together and demanded peace. That same courage and determination must now guide us as we work to build a stronger Liberia.” she said.
Brumskine stressed that national development requires sacrifice and collective responsibility from all citizens, especially women. “Progress demands sacrifice, leadership requires service, and nation building requires commitment. Every single one of us has something to give — whether it is time, mentorship, kindness or encouragement to another woman” she asserted.
She also challenged Liberian women to overcome divisions and competition among themselves, noting that mutual support is critical for empowerment. “If we decide to open doors for another woman to come in, we must not close those doors behind us,” she noted, adding that when women support each other, communities grow stronger and the nation becomes stronger.
Encouraging young women to pursue leadership and excellence, she reminded them that they have the power to shape Liberia’s future. “Do not allow anyone to define the limits of your dreams,” Brumskine declared. “When Liberian women rise together and lead with integrity, there is no limit to what our nation can achieve.”
Earlier, the Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection Madam Gbeme Horace Kollie described the celebration as a national call to action for greater investment in women and girls. “Investing in women and girls is not charity,” Minister Kollie said. “It is a strategic and transformative investment for sustainable national progress.” The minister highlighted persistent gender inequalities in Liberia, noting that women continue to face barriers in economic opportunities and political representation. “Women own about 55 percent of small enterprises in Liberia, yet fewer than five percent are employed in the formal sector. This reality underscores the urgent need to accelerate progress toward equal opportunity and inclusive representation” she added.
UN Women Resident Representative Comfort Lamptey said empowering women remains essential for strengthening institutions and societies worldwide. “When we invest in women and girls, we strengthen families, communities, institutions and the economy,” Lamptey pointed out. She also disclosed global statistics showing that women continue to face significant legal and economic inequalities. “Women globally hold only 64 percent of the legal rights of men. When women and girls are denied justice, the harm goes beyond individual cases — trust erodes and the rule of law itself is weakened.” madam Lamptey told the gathering.
She further praised the resilience and leadership of Liberian women throughout the country’s history and urged greater collaboration to achieve gender equality. “I implore women across the length and breadth of Liberia to unite in purpose to tackle the unfinished business of achieving a gender-equal society,” she maintained.
The International Women’s Day celebration concluded with renewed commitments from government and development partners to strengthen programs aimed at empowering women and expanding their participation in national development.
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