By Rachel Saykaimein, Contributing Writer
The National Young Women Political Council of Liberia (NYWPC) has launched the first cohort of the Academy for Women’s Leadership and Empowerment (AWLE), a new initiative aimed at equipping young women with the skills, knowledge, and mentorship needed to become effective leaders.
The program began on Tuesday, April 14, 2026, at the Naymote office in Paynesville and continued on April 15 with a gender-based advocacy training session. It brought together more than 20 young women from political parties and civil society organizations.
Providing an overview, NYWPC President Laura Korvah described the Academy as a strategic effort to nurture a new generation of women leaders capable of influencing policy, advocating for change, and actively participating in governance.
“The Academy for Women’s Leadership and Empowerment is a strategic investment in Liberia’s future—designed to equip young women with the skills, confidence, and networks needed to lead, influence policy, and drive meaningful change in our society,” she said.
Korvah noted that the College of Gender Studies and Interdisciplinary Research at the University of Liberia supported the development of the Academy’s curriculum, particularly in the areas of gender, advocacy, and rights. She emphasized that this collaboration played a key role in the successful launch of the program.
She also expressed appreciation to Naymote Partners for Democratic Development for providing mentorship and support to NYWPC.
The AWLE program seeks to address the persistent gender gap in leadership by delivering focused, practical, and high-impact training. It combines leadership development with gender advocacy education while fostering a supportive network for emerging and active women leaders.
Speaking at the opening session, Madam Luopu Garmi Blackie, Dean of the College of Gender Studies and Interdisciplinary Research at the University of Liberia, underscored the importance of strengthening women’s political participation.
“This training comes at a critical time, as women across Liberia continue to face barriers such as gender stereotypes, limited access to information and networks, intimidation, unequal power dynamics, and resource constraints,” she said.
She added that equipping women with practical advocacy tools will help them navigate political spaces with greater confidence and effectiveness.
Madam Blackie also acknowledged the contributions of key organizations, including the Advancing Young Women’s Leadership and Political Participation in Liberia initiative and the Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), for their ongoing efforts to promote women’s leadership.
She commended the organizers for creating a platform to strengthen women’s advocacy skills and officially declared the gender-based advocacy training open.
Also speaking, WONGOSOL Executive Director Esther S. D. Yango urged young women to step forward and take on leadership roles.
“Do not wait to be invited into leadership. Prepare yourself. Step forward and take your place, because Liberia cannot move forward if women are left behind,” she said.
Yango noted that although women make up nearly half of Liberia’s population, they hold only about 11 percent of seats in the National Legislature, highlighting the need for deliberate action to close the leadership gap.
The Academy for Women’s Leadership and Empowerment is expected to play a key role in building a pipeline of empowered women leaders across Liberia through mentorship, training, and networking.
NYWPC reaffirmed its commitment to advancing women’s political participation and leadership through sustained capacity-building initiatives and partnerships.
