Young women are claiming their place in Liberia’s armed forces

Women make up just 7.5 per cent of Liberia’s armed forces. A nationwide effort is reaching young women with information on military careers, as Liberia seeks to expand women’s participation in the security sector and peacekeeping.

GREENVILLE, Liberia — Three young women approach an outreach team with questions about joining the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL).

One of them has wanted to join for years.

Princess M. Jiffan is a high school graduate. Among her peers, she is known as “General”.

The team is in Greenville to share information about women’s participation in Liberia’s security sector, including opportunities to join the AFL. Princess wants to know what she needs to do to prepare for recruitment.

“It has always been my dream to join the army, and God has made it possible for you people to come with this awareness so I can get all the information I need to prepare for the next recruitment,” she says.

If she joins, Princess wants to learn mechanics.

Making room for more women in Liberia’s armed forces

Gender stereotypes are among the barriers women face in joining the AFL.

A 2022 Measuring Opportunities for Women in Peace Operations (MOWIP) assessment also identified negative perceptions of military service, limited awareness of career opportunities, and insufficient family and community support.

Women currently account for approximately 7.5 per cent of AFL military personnel, including 11.5 per cent of officersand 7.1 per cent of enlisted personnel. In 2017, women represented 3 per cent of AFL personnel.

In July and August, Liberia’s Ministry of National Defense and the Armed Forces of Liberia, with support from UN Women through the Elsie Initiative Fund, conducted an awareness campaign across all 15 counties of Liberia.

The campaign sought to challenge stereotypes about women’s roles in the security sector and increase awareness of opportunities for women to join Liberia’s security institutions and contribute to international peacekeeping missions. It also raised awareness of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda and UN Security Council Resolution 1325.

From wanting to serve to preparing to join

In Greenville, the conversation turns to what it takes to join.

Sergeant Sukie Newton speaks directly to the young women. Already serving in the Armed Forces of Liberia, she encourages them to see themselves not only as people who can be protected, but also as future protectors.

She urges them to stay focused, prepare well and develop the discipline and commitment required for military service.

For young women considering that future, the message comes from a woman who is already wearing the uniform.

Greenville was one stop in a campaign that took these conversations to communities across Liberia, through schools, markets, town halls, radio and other community engagements.

The campaign is the first phase of a broader effort by Liberia’s Ministry of National Defense, the Armed Forces of Liberia and UN Women, supported by the Elsie Initiative Fund, to increase women’s participation in Liberia’s security sector and peacekeeping operations.

The next phase will include mentoring and engagement sessions for interested young women, continued recruitment information and efforts to strengthen gender-responsive recruitment processes. A tracking system is also planned to follow women’s progression through different stages of enlistment.

Princess hopes to make that journey herself.

One day, she wants “General” to be her rank, not just her nickname.