Liberia Demands Sustained Global Support to Protect Achievements in Women, Peace and Security Endeavors

Monrovia, Liberia: Gender Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie has called on the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission to ensure uninterrupted international support for Liberia’s Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda, warning that domestic funding limitations and global economic shifts threaten to undermine progress made through years of targeted reform.

By: Abraham Sylvester Panto

Highlighting measurable advances in female participation within Liberia’s security sector, the Minister of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MoGCSP) in her address to the United Nations Peacebuilding Commission highlighted Liberia’s achievements but noted that without predictable external assistance, these gains are short-lived.

The Gender Minister cited the increase in female representation in the Armed Forces of Liberia from 3% in 2019 to 7.5% by 2024, saying, “This increase is largely attributed to targeted affirmative action measures, such as a pre-recruitment training program exclusively for female applicants, designed to promote equity and level the playing field with their male counterparts.” 

She underscored Liberia’s continued reliance on strategic international partnerships, particularly the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, which she credited with enabling inclusive policy frameworks across transitional justice and national security institutions. 

“Let me begin by expressing my sincere gratitude to the Chair for the opportunity to brief the Commission on Liberia’s progress and challenges in implementing its Women, Peace, and Security agenda,” she remarked, while acknowledging contributions from UN Women and the Government of Sweden.

Despite commendable progress, Minister Horace-Kollie cautioned that the global environment for gender equality is deteriorating.

“We are witnessing a global pushback against women’s rights, coupled with shrinking funding for gender equality programs, making it increasingly difficult to prioritize the WPS agenda,” she stated.

She also emphasized that without durable financial backing, the long-term viability of Liberia’s peace-building gains cannot be guaranteed, particularly in a fragile post-conflict context.

Positioning Liberia as a serious contender for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council, which election is slated for Tuesday, June 3, 2025, the Gender Minister framed Liberia’s candidacy as a logical progression of Liberia’s commitment to gender-responsive governance. 

Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie: “Liberia’s candidacy presents a unique opportunity to align our domestic WPS commitments with global leadership. It positions Liberia to amplify its voice and share its experiences on women’s participation in peace and security at the highest diplomatic level.”

Detailing the government’s policy direction, the minister announced that the extended WPS plan will play a central role in guiding women’s participation in Liberia’s transitional justice mechanisms, including formal engagement with the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court. 

“This extension will help ensure that women’s voices and leadership are fully included in our national transitional justice efforts, including their engagement with the Office of the War and Economic Crimes Court and the ongoing review of our National Security Strategy,” she explained.

She assured local stakeholders and international partners that the WPS agenda is not symbolic but deeply embedded in national policy. 

“As we move forward, I assure you that the Government of Liberia is committed to taking the next steps with a coordinated, sustained approach that upholds our global commitments to peace, security, and gender equality,” she said, calling on global actors not to retreat at a critical moment in gender-inclusive peace-building.

The United Nations Peace-Building session brought together representatives from donor nations, UN agencies, and global peace-building institutions, with Liberia’s presentation serving as both a performance report and a strategic appeal.