By G. Watson Richards
After four and a half years leading Kvinna till Kvinna in Liberia, Country Director Alisha Lai has stepped down, leaving behind a lasting legacy of progress in women’s rights, economic empowerment, and the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV).
Her tenure marked a period of strategic growth, strengthened partnerships, and a renewed focus on intersectional feminist approaches.
During her leadership, Lai ensured that empowerment initiatives addressed the diverse experiences of Liberian women across age, geography, and sexual orientation.
Kvinna till Kvinna, Swedish based NGO expanded programs in women’s peace and security, supported survivors of GBV, and emphasized prevention initiatives, building stronger networks of women-led organizations nationwide.
“The legacy of the work for this organization does not sit with one person alone; it’s a movement,” Lai said, reflecting on her departure.
Continuing, she intimated: “Momentum for women’s rights in Liberia will continue beyond my tenure.”
She also praised the Swedish Embassy in Monrovia for its long-term support since 2011, which enabled Kvinna till Kvinna to back more than 25 women-led partner organizations.
Among Lai’s landmark achievements was the development of the Power Program, which brought together intersectional feminist organizations across Liberia to collaborate through peer-to-peer learning and joint projects.
She also emphasized the importance of documenting challenges, particularly amid a growing “gender backlash” threatening funding for women’s rights, reproductive health, and civil society programs.
“In times of backlash, the most important thing we can do is document our work,” she said, pointing to ongoing research and publications on how these backlashes affect women’s rights in Liberia and Sierra Leone.
Lai also highlighted the critical role of women in sustaining peace. “Women have always been central to preventing conflict and rebuilding communities,” she said. “If we do not continue to provide support and resources, we risk undermining the very foundation of peace that women have fought to secure.”
Reflecting on her experience, Kvinna till Kvinna outgoing Country Director said she will miss working closely with partner organizations and her team. “It has been both a privilege and an honor to serve in this capacity,” Lai said.
Kvinna till Kvinna in Liberia: Context and Impact
Kvinna till Kvinna has supported women’s rights in Liberia since 2010, opening its country office in 2011.
The organization operates in a context shaped by decades of civil conflict and structural inequality. Liberia’s women’s movement played a pivotal role in ending the country’s civil wars and advancing peace, particularly in 2003 when women helped end the second civil war through nonviolent advocacy.
Despite these gains, gender-based violence remains pervasive, including domestic abuse, sexual assault, and harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation. Limited access to education and economic opportunities keeps many women and girls in poverty. The election of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as Africa’s first democratically elected female president was a historic milestone, yet structural inequality persists.
During Liberia’s civil wars from 1990 to 2003, millions were displaced, and an estimated 61 to 77 percent of women and girls experienced sexual violence. Today, women continue to be underrepresented in politics, holding fewer than 11 percent of legislative seats. Many face barriers to education, employment, and financial independence, while GBV continues to affect communities across the country.
Under Lai’s leadership, Kvinna till Kvinna strengthened Liberia’s women’s movement through capacity building, peer learning, and the promotion of intersectional feminist practices.
The organization focused on supporting women-led initiatives that prevent GBV, empower women economically, and sustain peace-building efforts.
By fostering collaboration among diverse organizations and documenting both achievements and challenges, Lai helped ensure that Kvinna till Kvinna’s work remains impactful and sustainable.
Her departure marks a new chapter for Kvinna till Kvinna Liberia, but the foundations she helped build-resilience, advocacy, and collective empowerment, are expected to guide the organization well into the future.
