Summary 

In the history of Liberia, women and girls have often faced discrimination and have been sidelined from equal opportunities compared to men and boys. Systemic inequality has been present in various aspects of life including but not limited to education, employment, participation in politics, and other social roles. However, in hand with the government, UNDP is empowering women and girls, making gender equality a reality. 

In depth

UNDP’s commitment to gender equality is integral to expanding people’s choices and realizing a just and sustainable world in which no one is left behind, and in which everyone’s ideas and capacities are harnessed to achieve the SDGs. UNDP Liberia’s programming has among other things, supported regulatory reforms to increase and encourage women’s participation in electoral and governance activities, including the elections; gender responsive budgeting at the national and county levels, and ensuring women's employment, livelihood, and entrepreneurial opportunities such as post-COVID recovery and business growth grants.  

Women’s empowerment initiatives and gender mainstreaming are part of the key hallmarks of UNDP’s work. To mainstream gender equality and women’s empowerment, UNDP has worked to identify the root causes of ineffective mainstreaming of gender in the rule of law, electoral processes, and policies and supporting peace and stability in civic and voter education. Women have a strong role to play in peacebuilding and have been instrumental in keeping Liberia’s elections largely free from conflict.

Through joint programming with UN Women and other partners including civil society organizations, UNDP is working to reform policies and laws to end harmful practices, particularly sexual offenses which are prevalent in Liberia.