By Rachel Tomai Saykiamieh, Contributor
At the commemoration of UN Women’s 15th anniversary held in Monrovia on July 18, the Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) made a clarion call for stronger collaboration, long-term investment, and systemic reforms to advance gender equality in Liberia.
Delivering a compelling keynote address, Ms. Facia B. Harris, Board Chairperson of WONGOSOL, emphasized the urgency of sustained action amid persistent gaps between policy and practice, especially for women and girls in rural and marginalized communities.
“Your presence in Liberia comes at a time when the call for bold, sustained investment in gender equality is more urgent than ever,” Harris told Dr. Maxime Houinato, UN Women Regional Director for West and Central Africa, who was present at the ceremony.
Highlighting the persistent challenges faced by Liberian women-from limited access to healthcare and economic opportunities to underrepresentation in leadership-Harris noted that “though there has been progress, such as the public ban on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), enforcement remains weak, and harmful traditional practices persist in many communities.”
She further raised alarm about widespread violence against women and girls, where survivors often have little access to justice or psychosocial support.
As the national coordinating body for over 250 women-led organizations, WONGOSOL itself grapples with inadequate funding. “Grassroots women’s rights organizations remain critically underfunded… Even we at WONGOSOL continue to face significant financial constraints,” Harris stated.
Despite these limitations, she affirmed the organization’s unwavering commitment to promoting inclusive governance, amplifying women’s voices, and advancing structural reforms for gender justice. WONGOSOL, she added, continues to contribute to Liberia’s peacebuilding and reconciliation efforts, in collaboration with UN Women.
Referencing Liberia’s extended National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325, Harris called for “robust support to evaluate its implementation and gather comprehensive findings that will inform the development of a new and more impactful NAP.”
She urged UN Women to support a range of strategic actions, including:
Advancing systemic reforms that institutionalize gender equality;
Providing sustainable, core funding for women’s rights organizations;
Scaling up engagement with traditional leaders to change harmful norms;
Strengthening the national response to gender-based violence;
Championing the passage of a standalone Anti-FGM Law and domestication of the Maputo Protocol;
Supporting women-centred peacebuilding and reconciliation processes;
Integrating the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) and Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) agendas to uplift young women leaders
“Young women and girls must not be left behind—they are powerful peacebuilders and essential actors in shaping the future of our country,” Harris asserted.
She concluded with a heartfelt appeal to the UN Women leadership: “We view your visit not only as a gesture of solidarity but as a moment of renewed commitment to building a Liberia where women and girls are safe, empowered, and heard at every level of decision-making.”
The event brought together high-level dignitaries, partners, and activists, serving as both a celebration of progress and a sober reflection on the road ahead for gender justice in Liberia.
