Mai Wiakanty’s eyes glistened with wonder as the sprawling silvery Manhattan skyline came into sight during the plane’s final descent, a stark contrast from the lush woodland savanna of her Liberian homeland. Her arrival at the airport marked the end of one journey and the beginning of another.It was her first time flying international waters. The eight-hour journey revealed the chasm between the land of departure and the land of arrival. Yet, despite the unfamiliar territory, she found comfort in the familiar feeling of simply being around people and listening to their stories.Just weeks before, the 16-year-old from Grand Gedeh County was convening members of the Zwedru Multilateral High School's Buddy Club. The next thing she knew, she was already on her way to the other side of the Atlantic, speaking alongside world leaders at the Summit of the Future, held on the sidelines of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly. The Summit of the Future is a high-level event where world leaders discuss solutions to pressing global issues and chart a course for the future.“I had never considered travelling outside my county to Monrovia, let alone flying to New York City, so that was a very memorable event for me. I even met and talked to the President and our county senator, which made me very proud,” Mai said.Mai’s journey to the Summit began when she was elected president of her school’s Buddy Club, a UNICEF-supported initiative led by children and adolescents working to end harmful behaviours like sex-for-grades, bullying, and corporal punishment.A UNICEF U-Report in 2015 highlighted a taboo issue in Liberia: teachers exploiting children by awarding grades in return for sex. In response, UNICEF partnered with the Ministries of Education and Gender, Children, and Social Protection to provide information, a helpline, and enhanced protection in schools.The Buddy Club is an extension of these ongoing efforts to create a safe learning environment, especially given recent issues like students struggling to maintain consistent attendance due to bullying.“The Buddy Club is, above all, about friendship and protecting each other,” Mai explained. “I have seen friends and schoolmates bullied for getting low grades. I noticed most feel shame, so our club tries to talk to them and encourage them not to give up. Bullying doesn’t mean they should stay away from school.”Mai doesn’t shy away from difficult conversations, a key part of her role. As president, she advises her peers to protect their mental health by ignoring negative comments and reporting serious issues they witness or experience, within and outside school, to the authorities. She also inspires them to build confidence and practise leadership by speaking before the club.These qualities propelled Mai to speak at the Summit of the Future on critical issues like peace, child rights, climate change, and digital literacy.“I spoke at one of the high-level discussions alongside President Joseph Nyuma Boakai Sr.,” Mai said. “We talked about advancing universal primary education and, in particular, rallied support to help street children return to school.”“I was happy to see and hear our government addressing the needs of Liberian children. Hearing firsthand what these people in power are planning for us and the next generation was a revelation. It was important to be part of that discussion. I hope more Liberian children are invited to these events,” she added.Mai was not alone on this journey. Joining her was Roberto R. Cooper Jr., the 16-year-old Speaker of the Liberia Children's Representative Forum. Together, they made history as Liberia became the only country to include child representatives at UNGA 79 and the Summit of the Future.Roberto and Mai’s journey demonstrated their passion and commitment to child rights. They engaged with global leaders, participated in discussions on climate change, peace, and digital literacy, and shared their experiences. Roberto, as a strong advocate for children’s inclusion in decision-making, emphasized the importance of allowing young people to be part of conversations shaping their future.At the Summit, Mai advocated for children in street situations and delivered a speech at the launch of a support project, highlighting the need for care, protection, and opportunities for vulnerable children. Roberto, in turn, reinforced the necessity of creating spaces where young voices are genuinely considered in national and global decision-making. Their participation underscored the importance of child participation in addressing pressing global challenges.Back home, Mai brings new lessons and experiences she eagerly plans to share with her peers. For her, this journey isn't just about herself but about fostering a culture of learning and building relationships, hoping they will follow in her footsteps after graduation.When asked about her plans, Mai’s eyes lit up. "University is just around the corner," she smiled. "Maybe I'll pursue a degree in economics or accounting, perhaps somewhere outside Liberia. I think I could get used to travelling for the sake of learning.”  Source: UNICEF

  Yesterday the governments of Liberia and Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the UN representations in both countries, officially launched the GOLA-REAP (Resilience, Empowerment, Access, and Peacebuilding) project at Bo Waterside, Liberia. The event brought together government officials, representatives of the UN in Liberia and Sierra Leone, the Mano River Union Secretariat, local authorities, civil society organizations, and community representatives to enhance peacebuilding, sustainable livelihoods, and cross-border cooperation along the Liberia-Sierra Leone border.The GOLA-REAP project aims to strengthen social cohesion, improve border management, enhance local governance, and promote climate-smart agriculture as a means to mitigate conflict risks and foster economic resilience in the Gola Forest Landscape, a protected ecosystem shared between Liberia and Sierra Leone that supports biodiversity, livelihoods, and cross-border trade.  Recognizing the need for deepened cross-border collaboration, GOLA-REAP is supported by the United Nations Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), the UN's leading financial instrument to invest in prevention and peacebuilding. The Fund supports joint UN responses to address critical peacebuilding opportunities, connecting development, humanitarian, human rights and peacebuilding initiatives. The Honourable Morie Lengor, Minister of Internal Affairs in Sierra Leone, linked the project’s planned activities in border communities to national development. "[Sierra Leone’s] 5 Big Game Changers and Feed Salone initiatives are more than just projects—they are a call to action for our communities to take ownership of sustainable resource management. By strengthening cross-border collaboration, we are fostering peace, resilience, and economic empowerment for the people of Sierra Leone and Liberia."Seraphine Wakana, UN Resident Coordinator for Sierra Leone, opened her statement by thanking the Government of Liberia for hosting the event and commenting on the importance of the area. “Grand Cape Mount County plays a crucial role in regional peacebuilding efforts, crucial for the development of both countries,” she said. “The boundary between Sierra Leone and Liberia means you have a shared past, a shared present and a shared future, a future you are dedicating efforts towards making it better. Importantly, the boundary means shared peace.”Implementation of GOLA-REAP will be jointly led by the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the World Food Programme (WFP) in both countries, in partnership with national governments and in collaboration with local authorities, community representatives, civil society organizations, and regional institutions such as the Mano River Union (MRU). The project has already garnered support from key policymakers and peace advocates, who have highlighted the critical importance of this geographical area for sustained peace, security, and resilience in both countries and the potential of the project to prevent conflicts and sustain the peace in the region.Edward K. Mulbah, Deputy Minister for Research and Development Planning in Liberia, emphasized resilience. “The Gola Forest is a shared heritage and a pillar of peace, security, and economic resilience between our two nations. This is a testament to our commitment to sustainable development and regional cooperation."The GOLA-REAP project builds on the PBF cross-border peacebuilding efforts implemented between 2021-2024 in Sierra Leone and Guinea, in which WFP and IOM supported governments to strengthen civil institutions and evidence-based policies for conflict resolution and peaceful co-existence between cattle herders and crop farmers in border regions of the two countries.By enhancing collaboration and trust between local communities, forest rangers, border authorities, and national governments, the project aims to enable the prevention and peaceful resolution of community conflicts while advancing sustainable resource management in this important region.“Through GOLA-REAP, we have a unique opportunity to make the Gola Forest a lasting legacy—not just as a protected area, but as a model of cross-border peacebuilding, cooperation, and shared prosperity,” said UN Resident Coordinator for Liberia Christine N. Umutoni. “Let us seize this moment, work together, and turn our shared vision into reality.”The RC’s comments reinforced the themes of conservation and prosperity that were present throughout the session’s remarks from both high-level partners and community members."This forest is our heritage,” shared Lawrence V. Sherbo, Commissioner of Liberia’s Kongba District, during the event’s opening statements. “We must protect it for generations to come.”    For more information, please contact:In Monrovia, Serge Lenaud: slenaud@iom.int In Freetown, Sam Whitlow: rwhitlow@iom.int   

"It was not easy at the beginning, when I opened the school by myself," recalls Massa Kandakai, her voice carrying the weight of her journey. "But I know it was worth it. I saw the need for change in our community, and someone had to take the first step."In the heart of Todee District in a rural part of Liberia, a remarkable transformation is taking place. Massa Kandakai, once a practitioner of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), has become a pioneer for change in her community. Her journey from traditional practices to becoming an advocate for alternative livelihoods exemplifies the power of education and economic empowerment in creating sustainable cultural shifts. A Leader's JourneyMassa Kandakai's decision to abandon FGM practices didn't come easily in a country where the procedure affects 38.2% of women aged 15-49. As a respected Zoe (traditional leader), her choice to establish a school in Sonkay Town[DM1]  represented a significant departure from deeply entrenched cultural norms."When we first introduced this initiative, many women in the surrounding villages were hesitant to participate," Kandakai recalled during a recent visit by international dignitaries. "However, as they learned new skills, gained financial independence, and saw the positive changes in their lives, their perception shifted."Today, that school has evolved into the Sonkay Town Vocational and Heritage Center (VHC), a facility that offers alternative livelihoods for former FGM practitioners, education for at-risk girls, and alternative cultural heritage preservation for surrounding communities. Currently, 94 children—mostly girls—are enrolled in the school, receiving an education that might otherwise have been inaccessible to them.A Center for ChangeThe Sonkay Town VHC stands as one of four centers funded by the EU/UN Spotlight Initiative to serve as a center of learning and cultural exchange to replace bush schools where FGM was practiced. Constructed between 2020 and 2023 on 35 acres of land, the center serves approximately 400 traditional zoes who were previously involved in FGM, as well as around 1,500 young women and girls from Montserrado County.The center comprises five structures: a multi-purpose hall, a dining hall with kitchen, a six-room training facility including a teacher lounge, an office for the facility's administrator, and a solar panel storage room. But more than its physical infrastructure, the center represents a fundamental shift in cultural practices.During the implementation of the Spotlight Initiative, 127 bush schools were officially closed in Montserrado County following a full ban on FGM. This progress builds on years of engagement with traditional leaders and the Government of Liberia, which led to policy statements in 2019 and 2022 temporarily suspending the practice, culminating in a nationwide ban proclaimed by Chief Zanzan Karwor, former National Chairperson of the Council of Chiefs and Elders of Liberia, on February 6, 2023."Today, the women are not only earning income but also saving and investing in their families' futures," Kandakai explained. "Some of them have even been able to purchase homes for the first time, a milestone that was once unimaginable. Economic empowerment does not benefit only women; it strengthens entire households and communities."International Recognition and SupportOn March 1, 2025, Erica Gerretsen, Director for Human Development, Migration, Governance & Peace at DG INTPA, European Commission, visited the center alongside representatives from the Government of Liberia, the European Union in Liberia, and the UN in Liberia, including RCO Christine N. Umutoni and UN Women Liberia Country Representative, Comfort Lamptey."Since 2016, the European Union, in partnership with the United Nations, has been committed to addressing the issue of Female Genital Mutilation in Liberia through the Spotlight Initiative," Gerretsen noted during her visit. "Standing here today and witnessing the tangible results of this work is both humbling and inspiring."She emphasized the significance of the progress made while acknowledging the challenges ahead: "Liberia has made significant strides in combating FGM, including the signing of a national ban on the practice. However, despite this progress, much remains to be done. The work being carried out at the Sonkay Town Vocational and Heritage Center is proof that change is possible." Liberia's Minister of Gender, Hon. Gbeme Horace-Kollie, who also visited the center, shared similar sentiments: "When we assess the success of a project, we must ask: how has it impacted the lives of those it was designed for? Listening to the testimonies of former FGM practitioners today, hearing how they have been able to rebuild their lives and secure sustainable livelihoods, reaffirms the importance of this initiative."She particularly highlighted Kandakai's leadership: "The Chief Zoe's leadership in establishing this school is particularly inspiring. The transformation of this community is remarkable, and I am immensely proud of what has been achieved. This center stands as an example of how we can empower women and girls by providing them with viable alternatives that preserve cultural heritage while eliminating harm." Looking Forward: Spotlight 2.0The momentum generated by the Sonkay Town VHC and similar initiatives is set to continue with the launch of Spotlight 2.0. On March 4th, Erica Gerretsen joined Liberia's Minister of Planning and Development Planning, Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, to sign the financing agreements for the Spotlight 2.0 Initiative and the Support Measures of the European Union's Annual Action Plan 2024.This significant step forward ensures that gender equality and sustainable development will continue to be priorities in Liberia. The signing ceremony was attended by the Minister of Gender, Hon. Gbeme Horace-Kollie, UN Resident Coordinator Christine N. Umutoni, representatives from the UN system, and other Government officials.Under Spotlight Initiative 2.0, priority will be given to empowering grassroots women who survive gender-based violence and those transitioning away from FGM. The initiative will provide vocational training in fields like hospitality, beauty services, soap making, weaving, tie-dyeing, climate-smart agriculture, and IT skills. Additional financial literacy programs will equip participants with essential business management skills, encouraging them to join VSLAs for solidarity and growth.Economic empowerment activities will be conducted with local organizations to foster entrepreneurship, and young women will be connected to TVET schools, ensuring that the skills they gain translate into sustainable livelihoods.A Vision for the FutureWhen asked about her hopes for the future, Massa Kandakai's answer was both practical and visionary: she wants a car. Not as a status symbol, but as a tool for expanding the center's impact—so she and the other women could learn to drive and then travel to other communities, reaching even more women to empower them.As Gerretsen observed during her visit, "The Zoes of Sonkay Town should be recognized as role models for change. This center, alive with learning and economic empowerment, is a beacon of hope for the future."In the story of Massa Kandakai and the Sonkay Town Vocational and Heritage Center, we find a powerful testament to the possibility of preserving cultural identity while abandoning harmful practices, and to the transformative potential of education and economic empowerment in creating sustainable, community-led change. [DM1]Establishing a school versus operationalizing the VHC by the opening of a primary school for young women and girls is something we may need to clarify in the narrative. 

To promote a safer and more inclusive political environment, the National Elections Commission (NEC), in collaboration with the Organization for Women and Children (OROWCH), the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and UN Women, concluded a two-day training on gender sensitization and awareness aimed at preventing and responding to violence against women in elections and politics (VAWE/P). The training, held on April 14 and 15 in Ganta, brought together over 60 participants, including members of the Liberia National Police, local security institutions, representatives from the Project Accountable Safe Space Women’s Accountability Room (PASSWAR) across various magisterial areas, by-election monitors, and civil society actors. Aligned with Sustainable Development Goal 5, which focuses on gender equality and women's empowerment, and Goal 16, which emphasizes Peace, Justice, and Strong Institutions, the training addresses the systemic issues of electoral violence. It supports the NEC in fulfilling its constitutional mandate to plan, manage and conduct elections pursuant to national laws, international standards, and best practices, in partnership with other electoral stakeholders, such as the Liberia National Police and civil society, with a strong emphasis on inclusivity. Randolph Dennis, Deputy Commissioner of the Liberia National Police, remarked, "This training is a step forward in our journey to ensure that gender equality is not just a policy but a practice in every aspect of policing. I encourage all participants to embrace the lessons learned and apply them daily, especially in serving our communities with respect and inclusivity." Assistant Commissioner of Police Teta Wilson, Chief of Gender Affairs Section of the Liberia National Police and Public Relations Officer, Liberia Female Law Enforcement Association (LIFLE) encouraged members to recognize and build upon their internal strengths.   The training also served as a networking platform for the Liberia Female Law Enforcement Association (LIFLEA), fostering collective advocacy for increased representation and advancement within the ranks of the Liberia National Police.  Leisel Telary, Director of the Gender Unit at the NEC, highlighted the Protocol between the National Elections Commission and registered political parties to address Violence against Women in Elections and Politics (VAWE/P). She explained that the Protocol—an electoral code of conduct designed to guide political parties’ actions during the electoral process—underscores the need for an effective referral pathway for survivors of VAWE/P and a stronger role for security institutions in preventing politically motivated violence against women.Topics covered included the types and root causes of VAWE/P, relevant national and international legal frameworks, and the roles of key actors in responding to electoral violence. The sessions were designed to build local accountability, promote inclusive practices, and enhance early response mechanisms. The UNDP Liberia Electoral Support Project (LESP) is co-funded by the European Union, Irish Aid the Embassy of Sweden and UNDP, and implemented in partnership with the NEC, UN Women and the Netherlands Institute for Multi-Party Democracy. It aims to strengthen national institutions and processes in promoting a more inclusive, participatory, and accountable democracy in Liberia.