UN Women and Women’s Legislative Caucus Launch Project to Strengthen Women’s Leadership, with Support of IBSA Countries

The Ambassadors of India and South Africa, H.E. Manoj Bihari Verma and H.E. Prof. Iqbal Jhazbhay, have commended the Women’s Legislative Caucus of Liberia (WLCL) of the 55th Legislature for the successful signing of the project titled: “Women Legislators in Liberia Promoting Voice, Leadership, and Gender-Responsive Governance for Sustainable Development.”

Speaking at the signing ceremony held earlier early September 2025 in Monrovia, both ambassadors also expressed strong support for the initiative, emphasizing its potential to advance gender equality, empower women, and contribute to Liberia’s sustainable development.

H.E. Amb. Verma, in his own words: “Today's project carries forward the spirit of solidarity, with women at its heart. India has, on several occasions, stood with Liberia on women-focused initiatives. From the first all-women police contingent in UN Peacekeeping Mission, whose professionalism inspired many here. the capacity-building training for Liberian women nurses in Chandigarh earlier this year, and now this initiative, empowering women legislators to lead and make a lasting impact”. 

He noted that the project is part of the trilateral India-Brazil-South Africa (IBSA) partnership, which aims to combat poverty and hunger in developing countries. “Together, we must ensure that its resources are used effectively and responsibly, so that Liberia’s women and communities gain the maximum benefit,” he added.

Also delivering remarks, Ambassador Jhazbhay emphasized the importance of such initiatives in protecting the rights of vulnerable women. “Projects like these, supported through the IBSA Fund, are vital in reversing setbacks to the rights of women and girls,” he said. “Decisive leadership and the protection of rights-based frameworks are essential. Through this project, we must recommit to ensuring that the most vulnerable are not left behind.”

He further praised the strong collaboration between IBSA and UN Women in promoting gender equality globally. “Countries like South Africa, Liberia, India, and Brazil - through our partnership with UN Women - have shown resilience by building alliances and adopting intersectional strategies to uphold our shared commitment under the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action, adopted 30 years ago,” he stressed.

UN Women emphasized that the project is designed to strengthen the WLCL and advance inclusive governance. Ms. Comfort Lamptey, UN Women Representative to Liberia, stated: “This project is not an end in itself, but a tool for transformation. It will strengthen the Caucus as an institution, extend its reach into communities, and ensure that its advocacy is reflected in laws, policies, and budgets that respond to the realities faced by women and girls. The true measure of success will be what Liberian women can point to in the years ahead as the direct results of stronger political participation, protections from violence, and more opportunities for economic empowerment.”

The signing ceremony concluded with remarks from Hon. Ellen Attoh-Wreh, Chair of the Women’s Legislative Caucus, who said: “We thank our partners for making this project possible. It will strengthen our role as lawmakers and help ensure that women’s voices and priorities are reflected in Liberia’s laws, policies and programmes. The Caucus is committed to turning this vision into reality.”

The  initiative aims to drive gender-responsive lawmaking and governance through tailored capacity development programs, informed by global best practices. Its objectives include developing an action plan for legislative reforms to address discriminatory laws, promoting access to sexual and reproductive health rights, advancing women’s equal rights to economic resources and employment, and supporting informal education and economic empowerment opportunities for women and young women, particularly in rural areas.

The WLCL officially launched the 18-month development project on 9 September 2025. Funded by the IBSA Fund with support from the UN Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), the project is being implemented by the WLCL in partnership with UN Women Liberia. It will reach eight of Liberia’s 15 counties: Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Bassa, Grand Gedeh, Lofa, Margibi, and Montserrado.