A weeklong training led by the World Customs Organization is equipping staff of the Liberia Revenue Authority with practical tools to advance gender equality and diversity, in a move aimed at strengthening institutional performance and workplace inclusivity.
The training, held in Monrovia from March 23–27, focuses on members of the LRA’s Gender Equality and Diversity (GED) Committee and forms part of the WCO’s Accelerate Trade Facilitation Programme, supported by the United Kingdom’s His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs.
Early feedback from participants indicates a measurable impact, with attendees reporting improved understanding of gender-responsive leadership, inclusive workplace practices, and policy implementation.
Building Skills for Institutional Change
Through interactive sessions and case-based learning, participants are developing strategies to address workplace bias, strengthen collaboration, and integrate gender perspectives into revenue administration processes.
Key thematic areas of the training include work-life balance, gender security, gender and trade, and strengthening the LRA’s Gender Equality and Diversity Action Plan. Organizers say the program is designed not only to build technical expertise but also to reshape attitudes toward leadership and decision-making.
The sessions are facilitated by Lemami Elsie Nima, Director of the WCO Regional Office for Capacity Building (West and Central Africa), and Goitseone Lenyatso, a senior customs officer with the Botswana Unified Revenue Service and a WCO-recognized expert.
Leadership Endorsement
Speaking at the opening ceremony held at Mamba Point Hotel, Margaret P. Krote, Commissioner for Domestic Tax at the LRA, emphasized the strategic importance of gender inclusion in revenue administration.
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“Gender inclusion is essential, as women are high performers who contribute significantly to leadership and decision-making. This training is already equipping our staff with the mindset and tools needed to foster a more inclusive and productive work environment.”
She commended the WCO for the initiative, noting its direct benefits to staff performance and institutional effectiveness.
Participants See Practical Impact
Participants have welcomed the training, describing it as both timely and transformative. Many say it has strengthened their confidence to champion gender equality initiatives within their respective departments and will directly influence policy implementation and workplace relations.
Facilitator Lemami Elsie Nima подчеркнула that gender equality remains central to the WCO’s capacity-building agenda, stressing that inclusive institutions are better positioned to implement reforms and deliver sustainable results.
She added that gender inclusion is an ongoing process requiring leadership commitment, active staff participation, and sustained collaboration among stakeholders.
Global Alignment
The WCO continues to promote gender equality across its 186 member administrations, aligning its efforts with global frameworks such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 5, which focuses on achieving gender equality and empowering women and girls.
According to LRA, the ongoing training represents a significant step toward strengthening institutional capacity at the LRA, positioning staff to drive inclusive policies, enhance organizational culture, and improve revenue administration outcomes in Liberia.
