National Democratic Institute Provides Technical Support to FeJAL amid USAID Shutdown in Liberia

Monrovia, Liberia: In a drive to support the advancement of women in the field of journalism, the National Democratic Institute (NDI) has donated several technical gadgets to the Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL).

By: Abraham Sylvester Panto 

NDI’s goodwill gesture is aimed at capacitating the female journalist’s organization in offering career growth for aspiring journalists during a time of limited resources.

The donation, which includes essential gadgets such as a Canon camera and Sony Digital Audio Recorder, is intended to aid the organization in its work amidst the drastic shutdown of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) support in Liberia.

Speaking during the donation ceremony, NDI’s country representative, Madam Ven Bernard-Jones, underscored the importance of this donation, especially in light of the financial difficulties many organizations are facing due to the negative USAID fund suspension. 

Madam Bernard-Jones expressed NDI’s continued commitment to supporting FeJAL’s critical work, while adding that the NDI’s assistance would allow the Association to continue executing its vital programs across Liberia.

Despite the negative impact of the USAID shutdown, Representative Bernard-Jones was keen to emphasize that the donation was meaningful owing to the long-standing partnership between the two organizations. 

As the NDI remains committed to strengthening and expanding the role of women journalists in Liberia, the donation is a vital tool to support their ongoing work in the country.

For part, upon receiving the donated items, FeJAL President Madam Lisa Diasay conveyed her sincere appreciation, highlighting the importance of these resources in the organization's efforts to empower women journalists. 

She expressed that the donation would significantly enhance the Association's ability to provide effective support to its members and expand the impact of their programs across Liberia. 

“This donation will greatly enhance our ability to serve women journalists in Liberia. With this equipment, we will have the necessary resources to continue the vital work of empowering and supporting women journalists in the country.”

FeJAL has long played a pivotal role in advocating for gender equality within the media industry and supporting the professional growth and development of female journalists in Liberia.

The donation from NDI further strengthens this mission, offering practical tools that will allow the Association to continue its critical work in the face of external challenges.

The NDI, established in 1983, is a nonprofit organization that has dedicated its efforts to strengthening and supporting democracy across the world.

With a core mission to assist countries in building resilient democratic institutions and practices, NDI has established a presence in over 70 countries, working alongside local communities to promote free and fair elections, advance human rights, and foster political participation. 

Throughout its history, NDI has worked tirelessly to assist individuals and organizations in overcoming barriers to democratic development, with particular emphasis on empowering marginalized groups, including women.

In addition to its core work of supporting democratic governance, NDI has also played a pivotal role in strengthening media independence to promote democratic participation through its support of organizations such as FeJAL.

FEJAL, as an organization committed to advancing women in journalism, has been an important partner in NDI’s work in Liberia. 

Since its inception, FeJAL has worked to create a more equitable and inclusive media landscape by providing training and advocacy for women journalists.