Women Legislators and Partners Launch Village Savings and Loan Associations in Margibi County

KAKATA, Margibi County – On 4 September 2026, the Women Legislative Caucus of Liberia (WLCL), UN Women Liberia and project partner CareFound Liberia officially launched Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and agricultural cooperatives in Kakata, Margibi County by bringing together VSLA representatives, community facilitators, local authorities, including County Gender Offices and Agriculture Coordinators, from the eight project counties.

This initiative forms part of the women’s economic empowerment component of the “Promoting Voice, Leadership, and Gender-Responsive Governance for Sustainable Development” project, supported by the India, Brazil and South Africa Facility for Poverty and Hunger Alleviation (IBSA Fund), administered by the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC), and implemented by UN Women Liberia and WLCL.

Women in rural communities often face limited access to savings, credit, financial services and income-generating opportunities. The VSLAs and agricultural cooperatives give women a community-based platform to save, obtain small loans, strengthen their livelihoods and manage resources collectively. Members also gain practical experience in leadership, accountability and financial management through elected leadership committees and group decision-making.

The project established 50 VSLAs and agricultural cooperatives, bringing together 1,719 members across eight counties. Twenty-four trained community-based facilitators provided members with training in financial management and VSLA operations. They will also deliver integrated training to 3,800 rural women and young women.

Speaking at the launch, Ambassador of India to Liberia, Manoj Bihari Verma, underscored the importance of ensuring that development partnerships translate into tangible benefits for communities.

“The real strength of a partnership is reflected in what it does for the people. Today, our focus is on the women gathered here and the communities they represent. When women have greater economic opportunity, families become stronger; when women have a voice, communities become stronger; and when women lead, societies become more inclusive and resilient.”

Hon. Ellen Attoh-Wreh, Chairperson of the Women’s Legislative Caucus of Liberia, encouraged the groups to manage the funds responsibly and use them to strengthen women’s businesses, livelihoods and leadership.

“We worked hard to bring this project to our women, with support from the Governments of India, Brazil and South Africa, and UN Women. We want the women receiving this support to use it well and show how it is changing their lives and communities. encourage every VSLA to manage the funds responsibly and use them to strengthen women’s businesses, livelihoods and leadership.”

“This connection between economic opportunity and leadership sits at the heart of the project. Through the VSLAs, women gain resources and practical leadership experience. Through its wider work, the project also supports women who want to take on leadership roles and increase women’s participation in community and national decision-making.”

With the launch, the project began disbursing seed funding to 50 VSLAs, giving 1,719 members across eight counties access to finance to grow their businesses and strengthen their livelihoods. The project will also train 3,800 rural women and young women in financial management, entrepreneurship and leadership.