Government of Liberia Validates Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security UNSCR1325 (2026–2031)

Monrovia, 2 July 2026 — The Government of Liberia, through the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), today commenced a two-day national validation workshop for the Third National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (NAP-WPS III). The MGCSP is convening the workshop in collaboration with UN Women and the African Union, with support from the Governments of Ireland and Sweden and with the participation from key line ministries including Foreign Affairs, Justice, Local Government, Defense,  civil society organizations, and women's rights organizations.

Liberia occupies a distinguished place in the global Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda. In 2009, it became the first country in Africa to adopt a National Action Plan on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 (UNSCR1325), integrating gender equality into peacebuilding, justice, and security sector reform. Since then, successive National Action Plans have built on this foundation, positioning Liberia as a key contributor to advancing women's meaningful participation in peace and security. From the community Peace Hut model to national policy reforms, Liberia's experience continues to serve as a model across Africa.

In her welcome remarks Hon. Gbeme Horace-Kollie, Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection stated that: 

“The convening of this National Validation Workshop is a testament to our collective resolve to strengthen institutional accountability, deepen women's participation in peacebuilding and governance, and uphold our national, regional, continental, and international commitments.”

The NAP-WPS III comes at a significant moment for Liberia as the country serves its 2026–2027 term as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. The Plan reinforces Liberia's longstanding commitment to the Women, Peace and Security agenda and provides a national framework for advancing priorities that are increasingly key to global peace and security discussions, including women's leadership in conflict prevention and peacebuilding, protection from gender-based violence, accountability, and inclusive governance. Through NAP-WPS III, Liberia seeks to translate its international commitments into concrete actions at national and community levels while continuing to contribute its experience and leadership to global efforts to advance sustainable peace and security.

In her opening remarks, UN Resident Coordinator Christine Umutoni noted that Liberia was among the first African countries to adopt a National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security in response to UN Security Council Resolution 1325. She emphasized that, as Liberia contributes to discussions at the United Nations Security Council, the NAP reflects the country's progress in advancing the Women, Peace and Security agenda domestically while also bringing its experience and lessons learned to regional and global platforms.

NAP-WPS III (2026–2031) aims to advance women’s full, equal, and meaningful participation of in peace and security processes while strengthening protection, prevention, recovery, and accountability mechanisms across Liberia’s 15 counties. Building on the five pillars of Prevention; Protection; Participation; Relief, Recovery and Resilience; and Coordination and Accountability, the Plan places particular emphasis on strengthening county-level ownership, improving institutional accountability, strengthening access to justice , expanding women's leadership in decision-making and security institutions, enhancing responses to sexual and gender-based violence, and ensuring sustainable financing and monitoring of Women, Peace and Security commitments. The Plan also responds to emerging challenges identified through nationwide consultations, including youth engagement, climate-related security risks, transitional justice, cross-border security concerns, technology-facilitated violence, disability inclusion, and the protection of women and girls in vulnerable communities.

NAP-WPS III builds on the lessons learned from NAP-WPS II (2019-2025) and reflects an inclusive, participatory process involving government institutions civil society, women’s rights organisations and networks such as the Peacehut, rural women network, youth organizations, and development partners. It represents both a renewed national commitment and a reaffirmation of Liberia's leadership in advancing the omen, Peace and ecurity agenda.

Dr. Sally Wangamati, the representative of the African Union Office of the Special Envoy on Women, Peace and Security emphasized localization as priority.  she noted “Across Africa, we must move from commitments to results—by investing in women's leadership, strengthening accountability, ensuring sustainable financing, and localizing implementation so that every woman and girl can experience the dividends of peace” Abul Hasnat Monjurul Kabir, UN Women Liberia Country Representative confirmed UN Women’s commitment to supporting the Government of Liberia, as NAP III moves from validation to launce and implementation. He noted the validation is an opportunity to confirm that the draft NAP reflects Liberia’s realities and shared priorities and contributes directly to the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development priorities on inclusive governance, rule of law, social cohesion, human capital development and social inclusion.  He emphasized “For UN Women, this work is at the heart of our mandate. We support women’s leadership, women’s participation in peace and security decisions, protection from violence, and stronger accountability for commitments made to women and girls.”

Representatives of the Embassies of Ireland and Sweden were also present at the validation workshop and appreciated the consultative process used to develop NAP-WPS III. They welcomed the inclusion of women peacebuilders’ voices, including through the Peace Hut structures, and reaffirmed the importance of continued partnership as the Plan moves from validation to launch, dissemination, and implementation across the country.

The first day of the validation workshop focused on the formal presentation and technical review of the draft NAP-WPS III. Participants, including members of the National Steering Committee, representatives of government ministries and agencies, security sector institutions, civil society organizations, women's and youth groups, development partners, and county stakeholders, reviewed the draft Action Plan, provided recommendations, and proposed amendments to strengthen the final document.

The validation process is expected to culminate in the endorsement of NAP-WPS III by the National Steering Committee and relevant national authorities, paving the way for its official launch and nationwide dissemination and implementation.