Published: February 14, 2025
Monrovia – The Paramount Young Women Initiative (PAYOWI) has concluded a two-day year-end retreat in Boys Town, Margibi County, aimed at assessing the organization’s progress, addressing challenges, and setting a strategic roadmap for 2025.
The retreat brought together over a dozen staffers from Montserrado, Bong, and Margibi counties, along with Board members and volunteers, in a collective effort to reflect on achievements and map out the future. Discussions centered on strengthening team cohesion, reviewing past challenges, and reinforcing PAYOWI’s mission to empower young women and girls.
During the opening session, PAYOWI Secretary Binta Massaquoi commended staffers for their dedication to advocating for the rights and voices of young women and girls. She emphasized the importance of sustained advocacy in 2024 and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to effecting tangible change.
“This year will be an exciting one as we set our goals and map out how best to achieve them,” Massaquoi said. She also acknowledged the unwavering leadership of PAYOWI’s Executive Coordinator, Atty. Facia B. Harris, for keeping the organization relevant for nearly two decades.
In her remarks, Atty. Harris underscored PAYOWI’s impact, particularly in mentoring young women and girls to become community leaders. She highlighted the organization’s role in empowering girls through education and mentorship, stressing the need for continued documentation of success stories to inspire others.
“Our work should not stop at the office. We must actively engage young women and add new voices to our movement,” Harris stated. “Liberia faces many challenges, but we have the ability to create our own opportunities.”
Key Achievements and Challenges in 2024
Despite facing numerous obstacles, PAYOWI made significant strides in 2024. The organization successfully mentored 631 mentees across 27 schools in four counties. It also maintained a workforce of 14 staffers and volunteers while implementing four donor-funded projects with financial transparency, including conducting audits.
However, several challenges hindered the organization’s work, including inadequate resources to sustain its girls’ club initiatives, lack of parental support for mentees, and insufficient financial support for volunteers. Additional hurdles included limited office space, lack of transportation for field activities, poor internet connectivity, and the need for clearer roles and responsibilities for staff and volunteers.
Path Forward
In response to these challenges, PAYOWI has proposed a series of interventions, including defining clear Terms of Reference (TOR) for staff, conducting short-term training sessions, implementing regular staff performance evaluations, and fostering a culture of constructive feedback and appreciation.
The retreat concluded with a renewed commitment to strengthening PAYOWI’s impact and ensuring that young women and girls across Liberia continue to benefit from its mentorship and advocacy programs.
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