Liberia’s Rural Women Push for Land Rights and Economic Empowermen

Buchanan, Grand Bassa County — The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, in collaboration with ForumCIV, the National Rural Women Structure, the National Alliance for Women Land Rights, and other partners, has launched a three-day National Celebration and Action Forum for Rural Women in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County.

The conference, held ahead of the National Women’s Day celebration, brings together stakeholders to discuss policy dialogue, accountability, access to justice, productive land use, practical skills recognition, economic empowerment, and national commitments to improving the livelihoods of rural women across Liberia.

This year’s celebration is being held under the theme, “Celebrating Rural Women, Securing Land Rights and Advancing Resilient Livelihoods.”

Delivering the welcome remarks, Grand Bassa County Superintendent Karyou Johnson described the occasion as a historic milestone for the county, which is hosting this year’s Rural Women’s Day celebration.

Johnson praised rural women for their contributions to agriculture, family care, and community development, describing them as the backbone of Liberia.

“Rural women are the backbone of Liberia. They keep the nation going, care for their families, and keep our farms alive,” Johnson said.

He noted that despite their important role in sustaining families and communities, rural women continue to face challenges in accessing land, justice, and economic opportunities.

According to Johnson, the conference provides an important opportunity to address these challenges, particularly land ownership and access.

“Land rights are not a favor; they are a right,” he emphasized, calling for increased attention to the land-related challenges confronting rural women.

The Grand Bassa County Superintendent also highlighted his administration’s efforts to support rural women through budgetary allocations.

He said the administration provided direct financial assistance and agricultural support to rural women’s groups in various districts during its first budget period.

Johnson added that his administration continued supporting rural women’s programs during its second budget period, with an emphasis on inclusion and contributions to initiatives intended to improve their welfare.

Meanwhile, serving as guest speaker, Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Atty. Laura Golakeh, reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to working with rural women across Liberia’s 15 counties to advance their priorities and address the challenges they face.

Golakeh acknowledged the significant contributions rural women make to their communities, particularly their roles in supporting families, sustaining livelihoods, and promoting stability.

She said the Ministry recognizes the work rural women do and the challenges they encounter, assuring participants that their concerns and demands are welcome.

However, the Deputy Minister emphasized the importance of strengthening the rural women’s structure to ensure effective coordination and communication between women and relevant institutions.

She maintained that working through a unified structure would help the Ministry reach more rural women and improve efforts to address their concerns.

The three-day forum is expected to provide a platform for rural women, government representatives, and development partners to discuss strategies for strengthening land rights, expanding economic opportunities, and promoting resilient livelihoods for women in rural communities.