United Nations in Liberia

The Sustainable Development Goals are a global call to action to end poverty, protect the earth’s environment and climate, and ensure that people everywhere can enjoy peace and prosperity. The UN in Liberia, the Government and Partners are ensuring that the 17 SDGs are achieved in Liberia although emphases are attached to those relevant to the country context.

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Speech

06 March 2026

International Women’s Day OP-ED MARYAM BUKAR HASSAN United Nations Global Peace Advocate

I do not write about women because it is fashionable.I write because history has always been written about us without us. It has been written about wars we did not start and peace tables where we were absent. About economies that grow while our communities fracture.About rights declared, and rights denied to us. So I ask the question: How do we write ourselves into the narrative of power?” Is it through the systems we inherit, or the systems we dare to question?Is it by participation in name, or participation in numbers?Is justice a principle we recite, or a practice we enforce? International Women’s Day 2026 Rights. Justice. Action. For ALL Women and Girls insists that these questions cannot remain rhetorical. They demand answers, action, and new perspectives. In one of my poems, I asked: “Isn’t it time to break the old patterns?For what you think you know can still be a cage.” I found myself performing this poem, Break the Old Patterns, on multiple global stages because that line resonated with women globally. Because “cages are not always visible.”They are assumptions and traditions that outlive their usefulness.They are also systems that reward conformity over creativity and tokenism over transformation.Societies are similar, and when half the population is treated as peripheral, potential is lost. When leadership reflects only narrow perspectives, solutions are limited. When rights exist in theory but not in practice, legitimacy erodes and impunity thrives.This is not an ideological claim, it is empirical. Consider peace processes; during the course of my work, I have advocated within international forums that sustainable peace requires women’s participation, not as symbolic observers but as negotiators, leaders, and decision-makers. Evidence supports this position: Agreements that include women are more durable.Communities that engage diverse voices recover faster.Security that values human dignity is more stable. Peacebuilding and governance often focus on systems and structures and yes they must. But systems ultimately exist to serve people.The theme of IWD 2026 challenges institutions and societies to evaluate themselves honestly. Are women’s rights fully protected?Are economic opportunities equitable? Do cultural narratives honor contribution rather than stereotype? Do security and peace processes reflect diverse perspectives? These questions are uncomfortable because they demand change and discomfort is the beginning of growth.Break the Old Patterns gained global resonance because it named what many already sensed: that transformation requires imagination and courage.“Watch as the sky learns how to stretch its boundaries,” I wrote. Boundaries are not permanent; they expand when societies choose to expand them. I have seen the vast spectrum of women’s contribution to global systems, to peace.It is boundless and it is indispensable. And yet it remains unevenly recognized. This is the paradox of our moment: unprecedented discourse about inclusion alongside persistent gaps in authority.Women attend negotiations, but they do not always shape outcomes.Girls access education, but they do not always inherit systems that value their voices. Communities celebrate progress, but structural barriers remain.Rights exist on paper, but justice for women and girls often remains aspirational. The question, then, is not whether change is desirable. It is whether we possess the intellectual and political will to make it irreversible.My work as a United Nations Global Peace Advocate and cultural communicator has taught me that change requires two simultaneous movements:The first is structural: Policies, budgets, and institutional frameworks that convert ideals on women’s rights and participation into measurable outcomes. I’ve seen how United Nations Peacekeeping pursues this daily, from supporting women peacekeepers on the ground to advocating for women’s participation in peace negotiations, working to ensure that women’s place at the table is meaningful, safe, and enduring.The second is cultural: Narratives that shape how societies imagine possibility, which through and through means leveraging imagination as infrastructure. If women are depicted only as beneficiaries, they will remain peripheral to decision-making. If they are depicted as architects, their perspectives become foundational.This is where we must look at International Women’s Day beyond commemoration.As I once said in my address on the United Nations 45th anniversary of the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women: “May we keep expanding. May we keep insisting. May we keep building a world where equality is no longer an ambition, but a norm so natural that future generations wonder why it ever had to be fought for.” That remains the challenge before us.And today I write this not as an observer but as a participant in the global conversation about peace, women’s rights, and power. As someone who has witnessed the courage of women in institutions and communities. As someone who believes that storytelling shapes policy.As someone who insists that change is possible. The task before us is immense.But history teaches that transformation begins with belief. Belief that better systems can be built, that inclusion strengthens societies, and that women should not be an afterthought but a foundational norm.Rights. Justice. Action. For all women and girls. From all communities.For a world still striving to become what it promises. This is the work of our generation.Let us meet it with conviction. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------### About the author: Maryam Bukar Hassan (Alhanislam) is a Nigerian poet and spoken-word artist. In 2025 she was appointed as the first-ever UN Advocate for Peace. She focuses on empowering women and youth, using storytelling to promote dialogue and inclusion, particularly following her experience with conflict in Nigeria. She champions the leadership of women and youth in peace processes, amplifying voices of those affected by conflict, and connect UN peacebuilding efforts to diverse, global audiences. She advances the Women, Peace and Security and Youth, Peace and Security agendas.

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06 January 2026

One Woman’s Mission to Stop Cervical Cancer

Olive Taylor, a mother of four boys, knows the quiet devastation cervical cancer can bring. She lost her own mother at a young age, and it was her grandmother, Mrs. Esther Arkoi, who stepped in and became her foundation.Affectionately known as “Ma Esther,” she was more than a grandmother. She was a mother, a protector, and a steady source of guidance for Olive and many others in their community. She raised Olive with faith, resilience, and a deep belief in education and hard work.Years later, when Ma Esther fell ill, Olive found herself stepping into the same caregiving role her grandmother had once played for her. Learning that the woman who held her family together was battling cervical cancer left Olive confused, frightened, and determined to do everything she could. Without hesitation, she left her job to become her grandmother’s full‑time caregiver, accompanying her to hospital appointments, sitting beside her through long nights, and ensuring she was never alone.Watching a strong woman slowly lose her strength was heartbreaking. Cervical cancer does not arrive loudly. It creeps in quietly, weakening the body and, with it, the stability of an entire family. When Ma Esther passed away, Olive was left with grief and many questions.Why had the disease come so silently?Why did help come so late?Why did it feel like so little could be done?It was only later that Olive learned something that reshaped her understanding of her loss. Cervical cancer is caused by the Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), a common virus that often shows no early signs and affects millions of people worldwide. What shocked her most was discovering that cervical cancer is largely preventable through vaccination, long before a girl is ever at risk.“That knowledge stayed with me,” Olive says. “Because if we had known earlier, maybe things would have been different.”Building on the early success of Liberia’s HPV Plus pilot program, which combined HPV vaccination with iron folic acid and deworming medication, the country has expanded this integrated approach across Montserrado, its most populated county.In October 2025, UNICEF and the Government of Liberia have vaccinated more than 38,000 girls ages nine to fourteen against HPV through HPV Plus programming which integrated the HPV vaccine, Iron Folic Acid and deworming.Through coordinated outreach, vaccination teams continue moving from community to community, visiting churches, mosques, youth centres and markets raising awareness, answering questions, and providing information in local languages while delivering the vaccine.For Olive, this national effort felt deeply personal.“When I heard that this was preventable through the vaccine, I immediately felt some relief. I was very excited just hearing about the HPV vaccine in Liberia and that it was free for girls from age nine.”Her relief quickly turned into action. Determined to spare other families the pain she had endured, Olive volunteered to join the HPV vaccination campaign. She was assigned as a recorder, documenting the process and supporting vaccination teams on the ground. But she didn’t stop there.“I asked my friends to join me,” she says. “We helped mobilize as many girls as possible to get vaccinated.”One of those girls was her nine‑year‑old niece, Albertha Selay, a bright curious student full of promise. For Olive, Albertha receiving the HPV vaccine was more than a health decision. It was an act of love shaped by loss.“I couldn’t protect my grandmother,” Olive says. “But I can protect my niece.”Where one generation had no warning, the next now has protection. For Olive, every girl reached through the HPV vaccination campaign represents a future spared from the pain her family endured.UNICEF, alongside the Ministry of Health and county health teams, continues working hand‑in‑hand to inform communities, vaccinate girls, and restore hope for a healthier future.For every girl, a healthy future. For every girl, the HPV vaccine.

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12 November 2025

“My Body Is Not on the Menu” Four Adolescent Girls Rewrite Their Future in New Kru Town

A young woman enters the hospitality classroom at the Centre for Adolescents in New Kru Town amidst a roar of excitement. She looks like a star returning home with her radiant smile and confident stride, instantly lighting up the room. Cheers erupt from the students: “Leticia!” Her former teacher, busy explaining how to welcome guests, turns around to embrace her warmly, and the class gathers around, inspired by the young woman who once sat where they now sit.Leticia is a proud graduate of the Let Us Learn (LUL) programme in New Kru Town, a UNICEF-supported initiative that equips vulnerable youth with life skills and vocational training. Before starting the programme, Leticia lived in an abusive household. “We were used for money. My aunt did not pay for school. If we refused what the men wanted, we were beaten”. At just 14 years old, Leticia was already exposed to violence, exploitation and experienced an unwanted pregnancy.“I felt stuck,” she says.Adolescent stories likeLeticia’s are not unique. Social worker Rachel tells us how violence and exploitation are common around New Kru Town, a community known to have harsh living conditions. “Many children are self-reared. At ages six or seven, they are already working. Between 10-12, they are getting into crime and substance abuse or even conflicts with the law. Girls turn to the street and become commercial sex workers.”Half of the adolescents enrolled in the LUL programme are teenage mothers.The community's reputation, offering a life with no control, attracts young people from all over Montserrado County. “They want freedom from rules and end up findingviolence, prostitution and crime. Once they get here, they quickly adapt,” she explains.“If we sit there and think that they will take it upon themselves to change their life, it won’t happen”.Programmes like the Let Us Learn with support from UNICEF are giving young boys and girls an opportunity to build their trade and vocational skills, so that they make better choices about their futures- ones they can be proud of.For Leticia, things started to change when she met a counsellor at the centre. With guidance and a grant, she pushed back against her exploiters and started a small business. After moving out on her own, she joined the life skills programme.“They (the LUL programme) gave us an opportunity, and real support, including food and transportation. They took us seriously.”Students like Leticia were motivated when interacting withsupportive adults while acquiring new skills. From a social aspect, it's where friendships were built to hold one another accountable and focused.As Leticia sits beside her friend Grace, she recalls the most difficult moments of her adolescence.Grace lived with her grandmother, who sold coal and was rarely home. After school, she would follow friends to the streets. They said it would be fun.“On the street, I saw nothing I liked. I saw prostitution, drinking, and smoking.”She soon started taking substances, drinking alcohol and eating poorly. “It was killing me slowly.”Grace was sent home from the programme three times. “They said I was not in the best shape.” But I did not give up.” On her third try, one of the programme's social workers saw her determination. “She is serious. We can have her.”For adolescents at LUL, Counselling is the cornerstone to them building their confidence, facing theirdecisions and charting a way forward in a comfortable environment.Like an emergency room, it stabilizes the emotions before we start treating the deeply rooted problems. Social worker Rachel explains:“Adolescents arrive with fear, trauma, and no emotional support. But even then, when they come here, they may not want to be here; they have a hard time focusing, and they want to escape. They have disturbing behaviours, so we are patient. It may take up to a year to go through the programme”.She adds how she often reaches into her own personal experiences to connect with them.The programme runs in stages: counselling before life-skills, then vocational skills ahead of a three-month internship. If they perform well,they’re hired.Today, 375 adolescents are enrolled, and thousands have been empowered in this community and across Liberia with the extension of the programme to Margibi and Grand Bassa Counties.The centre is now in a brand-new, welcoming location to provide refuge and the safe space adolescents need. It has expanded the number of classes available to provide marketable skills and attract more boys.“The girls come more easily. The boys are harder – they’re deep into crime. Explains Social Worker Rachel.In the nearby plumbing shed, is Alexander, Benjamin, Esther & Esther – both former sex workers and teenage mothers. Their friendship is a lifeline. “She helped me gain confidence to share my thoughts,” Esther says.Beyond the training and counselling, it’s perhaps these relationships, the camaraderie and the peer support that make the programme truly transformative.Grace now works as a housekeeper at an expat compound and earns enough to support herself and her mother, who joined her from Nimba County. “If it wasn’t for the programme, I don’t think I’d be here today” glancing at Leticia, she adds, “She is my best friend. We call each other often; we tell each other to be strong.”Today, Leticia works at a popular club in Monrovia, where she was recently promoted to a cashier. “When I was waitressing one evening, a man offered me $150 for the night. I remembered my teacher’s words when he talked about the downside of the jobs in hospitality: ‘Know your worth.’ And I thought of Grace, too, who always tells me to be strong. So, I said to him: “My body is not on the menu.”Her courage did not go unnoticed. Management praised her integrity and asked where she had trained. “I told them I didn’t come from a trade school. I came from a vocational programme in the slums”. Impressed, they promoted her.Leticia lives independently, earns a stable income, and mentor’s others. For many of Liberia’s youth, Let Us Learn is more than just a programme. It’s a launchpad for dreams, where hope is restored, dignity reclaimed, and futures rewritten one adolescent at a time.As Leticia and Grace leave the centre together, Leticia’s words to the community’s adolescents linger:“The life you are living out there is not the life you want to live. I know it does not define you.”

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10 February 2026

Ministry of National Defense and UN Women Launch Project to Strengthen Women’s Role in Liberia’s Armed Forces and Global Peacekeeping

The Ministry of National Defense and UN Women Liberia have launched a new two-year project under the Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF) to strengthen women’s participation and leadership within the Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and increase the number of Liberian women eligible for deployment to United Nations peacekeeping missions.The EIF-supported initiative will introduce targeted measures to remove systemic barriers affecting women in the AFL. Activities include enhanced national recruitment efforts, capacity-building programmes for women currently in service, and expanded access to reproductive and mental health services. The project will also strengthen mechanisms addressing sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) and sexual harassment within the force.Speaking on behalf of UN Women Country Representative Madam Comfort Lamptey, Deputy Country Representative Yemi Falayajo underscored the broader significance of the initiative.
“By addressing structural barriers and improving conditions for women in uniform, the Elsie Initiative Fund is helping to create a more inclusive, capable and representative security sector,” she said. “UN Women is proud to partner with the Ministry of National Defense and the AFL to ensure that Liberian women have the opportunity and institutional support needed to serve, lead, and contribute fully to global peace and security.”Delivering the keynote address, Honourable Moima Briggs Mensah, Representative of Bong County District Six, described the launch as the result of strategic partnership and sustained commitment to gender-inclusive security. She emphasized that the initiative will expand space for women to lead and serve within the military hierarchy.Minister of National Defense, Retired Brig. General Geraldine George-Johnson, acknowledged ongoing reforms within the AFL but noted that progress for women has been slower than desired.
“The project aligns with national priorities and will expand training for women in peacekeeping operations over the next two years,” she said.UN Resident Coordinator Christine Umutoni praised the collaboration between the Ministry and UN Women, highlighting that the project’s impact extends beyond the direct support of the fund. She emphasized that its implementation will contribute to strengthening public trust and advancing inclusive security across Liberia.Currently, women make up 7.5% of AFL personnel—below the representation levels in other national security entities, such as the Liberia National Police (19%) and the Drug Enforcement Agency (15%). The project aims to help the Ministry of National Defense increase women’s representation in the AFL to 15% within two years, driven by an intensified national recruitment campaign.Beyond recruitment, the EIF initiative will bolster support for women already serving in the AFL. This includes strengthening the Gender and Social Inclusion Department and updating policies related to recruitment, retention, whistleblowing, and the prevention of sexual harassment and exploitation.The project reinforces Liberia’s commitments under international frameworks including UN Security Council Resolution 1325, the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW), and its obligations toward achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 5 (Gender Equality) and Goal 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions).

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09 March 2026

When we lift women, we lift generations

To commemorate this year’s International Women’s Day, I was invited by the EU Chamber of Commerce in Liberia to reflect on the theme “Give to Gain: Realising Women’s Potential.” As a Rwandan woman whose life was shaped by exile, resilience and the generosity of others, I found myself returning to my own journey. For me, “Give to Gain” is not an abstract idea. It is something I have lived. I know what it means when one person opens a door for a girl who cannot yet see her future. I know what becomes possible when someone offers encouragement just as hope is fading. When women and girls are given opportunity, support and freedom to choose their path, the gains reach far beyond one individual. Families gain. Communities gain. Nations gain. When someone believes in you I began life as a refugee girl in Uganda. I went to school in one pair of oversized shoes, bought large so they would last for years. My parents could not afford to send me to secondary school, and I began to believe there was no future for me beyond primary education. I refused to sit for my exams because I saw no reason to continue. What I lacked was not ability. What I lacked was hope. My teacher, Miss Robbinah, refused to let my story end there. She took me into her home, encouraged me, cared for me, and urged me to sit for the exams. She believed in me when I could no longer believe in myself. I passed with distinction and received a scholarship to continue my education. That moment taught me a lesson that still guides me today: when you give to a girl, you help build a future. My father loved me deeply, but like many men of his generation, he feared that my dreams were too big. He did not believe that a refugee girl should aspire too high. He imagined a smaller life for me, shaped by caution rather than possibility. I continued through school on scholarships and eventually made it to university. Some professors openly questioned whether girls belonged in law school at all. I decided to leave. My cousin found me as I was preparing to walk away and asked whether I truly wanted to leave, or whether I was being pushed out. I told him that I loved studying law. He simply said, “Then stay.” And I stayed. Later, during political tensions in Uganda, my parents were forced into refugee camps and I lost all trace of them for one year. I did not know where they were or whether they were safe. While other students went home during breaks, I remained behind with nowhere to go. A university warden allowed me to stay in student housing and encouraged me not to give up. Later, with support from UNHCR, I was able to find my parents living in extremely difficult conditions in a camp. I wanted to quit. Life felt too heavy. But once again, someone helped me carry on. That experience taught me another truth: we rise because someone, somewhere, chooses to hold us up. And when we are able to stand again, we must do the same for others. Women rebuilding, women leading As a young woman, I became involved in activism. We asked difficult questions about exile, dignity and the future of our people. Some warned that politics and public life were not spaces for women. But I believed then, and still believe now, that every generation must decide whether it will simply endure history or help shape what comes next. After the genocide against the Tutsi in Rwanda, which claimed nearly one million lives, including more than 30 members of my own family, rebuilding required courage from across society. Women were central to that effort. They carried grief, trauma and responsibility, yet still chose to rebuild. They supported survivors, restored communities and helped shape a national future. That history left a lasting impression on me. Give women space, and a nation gains strength. Give women opportunity, and a society gains resilience. Years later, while serving in the United Nations, I met a 15-year-old girl in a refugee camp in another country. She had been forced into marriage at 12 and had suffered abuse. After hearing my story, she looked at me and asked, “Do you think I can ever make it like you?” I told her, “If I could do it, you can too.” She left that abusive marriage, returned to school, and today dreams of becoming a doctor. That encounter reminded me that encouragement matters. A story matters. A door opened at the right time matters. A call to open more doors For me, women’s empowerment has never meant forcing women into one model of success. True empowerment means freedom: freedom to lead, to study, to work, to care, and to choose one’s own path and be respected in that choice. This is why “Give to Gain” matters not only to governments and international organizations, but also to businesses, employers and community leaders. They can mentor young women, open professional doors, support women’s leadership, and create workplaces where women can thrive in safety and dignity. These are not acts of charity. They are investments in stronger institutions, stronger economies and stronger societies. I stand where I do today because people gave something to me along the way: belief, courage, shelter, guidance and opportunity. That is why I believe so strongly that when we lift one woman, we do not lift her alone. We lift families. We lift communities. We lift generations. As we mark International Women’s Day this year, that is both my gratitude and my call to action. Too many girls still grow up with talent but without opportunity, ambition but without support, dreams but without pathways. Let us choose to mentor, to invest, to listen and to open doors. Let us make giving a way of life, knowing that in helping one person rise, we help build a better world for all.

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06 March 2026

UN in Liberia Applauds Government’s Ambitious 2026–2030 Economic Governance Reforms

The United Nations Country Team (UNCT) in Liberia has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Government of Liberia’s renewed push for fiscal transparency, digital transformation, and accountable governance following the launch of the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning’s (MFDP) 2026–2030 Strategic Plan.Unveiled at the EJS Ministerial Complex in Monrovia, the plan lays out a transformative five‑year roadmap aimed at strengthening public financial management, modernizing systems, and enhancing service delivery across the country. The ceremony brought together government leaders, lawmakers, the diplomatic corps, civil society, and development partners, signaling broad national support for the reform agenda. A Reform Blueprint for Fiscal Discipline and TransparencyAccording to the MFDP, the strategy is grounded in lessons learned from previous reform cycles and incorporates extensive consultations across government and with development partners. Outgoing Deputy Minister for Administration Bill McGill Jones emphasized that the blueprint emerged from a deep analysis of past successes, gaps, and missed opportunities. He noted that digital transformation will be a central pillar of Liberia’s economic governance renewal. The plan outlines key targets expected to reshape Liberia’s fiscal landscape by 2030, including:Raising the revenue‑to‑GDP ratio to 35%Reducing the debt‑to‑GDP ratio below 45%Achieving clean audit outcomesEnsuring that 95% of government payments are processed electronicallyScaling modern financial management systems across all government entities Finance and Development Planning Minister Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan described the strategic plan as a “working instrument for national renewal,” stressing that Liberia’s development ambitions depend on disciplined execution and strengthened accountability. He urged public servants to view the reforms not as bureaucratic requirements but as obligations owed to the Liberian people. UN Resident Coordinator Launches the Strategic PlanSpeaking on behalf of the United Nations, UN Resident Coordinator Christine N. Umutoni officially launched the plan, lauding it as a bridge between national aspirations and measurable development impact. She noted that the government’s commitment to stronger fiscal governance aligns with global standards for sustainable development and enhances Liberia’s capacity to implement its national development agenda. Her remarks reinforced the UN’s continued support for Liberia’s governance reforms, particularly at a time when the country is preparing a new National Development Plan (NDP) and a future United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF). A United Nations Country Team Aligned With Liberia’s Development VisionThe launch of the MFDP Strategic Plan comes at a moment when UNCT Liberia is deepening its collective support to the Government through strengthened coordination, joint programming, and evidence‑driven policy engagement. In an earlier UNCT retreat at the Farmington Hotel, RC Umutoni emphasized the importance of harmonized action among the 21 UN agencies working in Liberia to deliver transformative results under the theme “Working Together Towards Liberia’s Transformation.” Participants—including government agencies, development partners, civil society, and Nobel Laureate Leymah Gbowee—highlighted that sustainable development must be anchored in dignity, peace, and inclusive governance. This aligns strongly with the MFDP’s stated priorities of accountability, transparency, and service delivery. Strengthening Partnerships for Liberia’s Economic RenewalThe UN Country Team recognizes the MFDP Strategic Plan as a cornerstone of Liberia’s economic transformation agenda. By focusing on modernization, digitalization, debt sustainability, and public accountability, the plan provides a robust foundation for long‑term resilience and inclusive growth.UNCT Liberia remains committed to supporting the Government in the implementation of these reforms through technical assistance, capacity development, policy alignment, and strengthened coordination mechanisms. As Liberia forges ahead with its 2026–2030 economic governance agenda, the UN stands ready—delivering as one, leaving no one behind, and championing a future of transparency, stability, and shared prosperity.

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03 March 2026

Liberia Advances Accountability and Partnership at 2026 Aid Coordination Conference

United Nations Liberia joined the Government of Liberia and development partners in Monrovia for the 2026 Aid Coordination Conference convened by the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP), reinforcing a shared commitment to transparency, accountability and sustainable development financing.The high-level forum brought together bilateral and multilateral partners to review aid performance, assess progress, and strengthen collaboration at a time of tightening global development assistance.Representing the Minister of Finance and Development Planning, Deputy Minister for Fiscal Affairs Anthony G. Myers reported that total aid commitments for FY2024–2025 amounted to US$641 million, while disbursements reached US$708.5 million — reflecting strong partner follow-through. In 2025, the disbursement-to-commitment ratio stood at 82 per cent, with several partners exceeding their pledged levels. Strengthening Transparency and Mutual AccountabilityDeliberations centered on advancing transparency, predictability and alignment with internationally agreed aid effectiveness principles under the Paris and Accra frameworks. Participants also examined recurring challenges related to ineligible expenditures in donor-funded projects and discussed options for closer coordination between partner audits and Liberia’s General Auditing Commission (GAC).Government officials highlighted ongoing reforms, including expansion of internal audit systems across ministries, modernization of procurement through e-procurement platforms, and plans to roll out the Integrated Financial Management System to local governments in support of decentralization. These measures are designed to reinforce fiscal discipline and ensure that resources translate into tangible results for citizens. Transitioning from Aid to Structured PartnershipA central theme of the conference was Liberia’s transition from aid dependency toward structured partnership anchored in national ownership. Authorities emphasized that development strategies must remain government-led, with partners aligning support to national priorities.Liberia is mobilizing US$1.2 billion through its national budget to advance infrastructure, health, education, agriculture and economic diversification. In parallel, the country is strengthening domestic resource mobilization and expanding trade and investment partnerships to build resilience and reduce long-term reliance on external assistance.UN Reaffirms Commitment to Government-Led PrioritiesSpeaking on behalf of the UN family, United Nations Resident Coordinator Christian Umutoni welcomed the open dialogue and acknowledged notable gains in transparency, domestic resource mobilization and auditing reforms. She underscored the importance of deeper coordination, alignment and joint programming to maximize impact amid shrinking global aid flows. The conference also marked an important transition within the Cooperating Partners Group, as Sweden announced the conclusion of its bilateral engagement in Liberia by August 2026, while reaffirming support for government-led development planning. As global financing landscapes evolve, the discussions underscored a shared determination to enhance accountability, improve absorption capacity and foster innovative financing partnerships.United Nations Liberia remains committed to supporting Liberia’s development agenda and advancing inclusive, sustainable growth in partnership with government and the broader development community.

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18 February 2026

A Morning in Monrovia City on Providence Island: A Story About Possibility

The moment that softened something in me came quietly—not with speeches, not with applause, but with the hush of an early Monrovia morning, the sun still stretching itself awake over Providence Island in the city of Monrovia.I was walking with Harriet—Dr. Harriet Wandira CEO of CMA CGM Liberia (a private company in sea, land and air logistics)—whose presence felt like returning to a familiar place. Maybe it’s the way she believes that a city, like a person, can be healed with enough care and enough hands. She led me to a small corner where her company was helping to restore. A quiet place. A humble place. Yet something in the air felt alive—like the city was taking a deep breath.At first, I noticed only movements. But then the shapes sharpened into people:Young people, students laughing. Community members, nearby, smiling.Signs of city authorities who had opened the way for this pocket of beauty.Tools from the private sector, placed with intention—not just given, but offered.As a UN family member, I thought instantly that this could be woven into something bigger.I could only see that with broader partnerships there are greater possibilities waiting just beyond the horizon.I stood there, feet still on the ground but heart rising slowly, watching a small patch of earth being coaxed back to life. And Harriet whispered, soft enough that only the breeze and I could hear: “This is partnership.”The words lingered in the air, gentle but weighty, like truth often is.Because in that moment, partnership was not only policies. It was not only a partner meeting or a project document. It was not a tidy diagram of roles and responsibilities.Partnership was human.It had faces: It had hands: It had laughter. It had women leading with quiet strength, youth carrying the future in their arms, communities standing guard, government enabling the path, private companies stepping beyond profit, development partners offering endurance, and the UN family: all of us holding hands together for a greener and sustainable city.Sometimes a city doesn’t rise all at once.Sometimes it rises in small, gentle places—one swept path, one painted wall, one corner reclaimed by those who believe it deserves to shine. Sometimes hope arrives with a broom in someone’s hand.Standing on that small piece of ground, I saw Monrovia not as it is, but as it could be, a city carried forward by all of us—Government, communities UN, government, private sector, women, youth, development partners—walking not in the same footsteps, but in the same direction.When I left Providence Island that morning, I carried something with me: a quiet certainty: the future we dream for Monrovia is already being written in these tiny acts of shared care.A future where a city becomes greener not through grand gestures, but through many hands reaching for the same tomorrow.

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16 February 2026

Valentine’s Walk: A Journey Through a City of Rivers, Ocean & Resilience

Monrovia is not a city you simply pass through — it is a place that reveals its magic to those willing to walk it, breathe it, and feel its rhythm.This Valentine’s season 14th and 15th February 2026, I gifted myself something simple yet unexpectedly meaningful: two long walks across Monrovia. These walks became a rediscovery — an intimate encounter with the city’s warmth, heritage, and enormous promise. I could see the destruction caused by years of civil war yet through that imagine what it was!On day one, my journey began in Sinkor, one of Monrovia’s vibrant districts, near the UN house and the Monrovia City Corporation, walking toward the city centre towards the Monument hill. Day two I started in Sinkor again and walked towards providence Island and beyond. Each landmark I saw brought out a thread of Monrovia’s identity — academic, civic, diplomatic, political — woven together into a living story. February 14: Valentine’s Day Walk: Climbing Monument HillThe walk into the city and ascending towards Monument Hill, near the former Ducor Hotel, felt symbolic: a climb into a wider view of Monrovia’s past and its immense possibility! There stands the historical monument of the first President of Liberia, H.E Joseph Jenkins Roberts. From the hilltop: The Atlantic Ocean stretched endlessly, rivers wrapped gently around the city, and neighbourhoods dotted the green landscape. A breathtaking vantage point that hints at what Monrovia once was, and what it could become again!February 15: Providence Island and the Free Port of Monrovia The following day, I walked past Providence Island — a site deeply embedded in Liberia’s historical narrative. From there, I followed the coastal route: beyond the port, with its economic heartbeat toward the cement factory, where industrial structures meet ocean and river vistas. This walk felt like turning the pages of Monrovia’s history — heritage, enterprise, resilience, and natural beauty.A City Framed by Water — and Extraordinary PotentialMonrovia is uniquely positioned: surrounded by rivers and the ocean, blessed with warm, welcoming communities and anchored in profound historical and cultural heritage. With thoughtful preservation and urban renewal, Monrovia holds enormous potential for: Cultural tourism, Heritage revitalization, Sustainable waterfront development and Global recognition — the whole city could be a future UNESCO World Heritage site. Walking allowed me to see Monrovia closely — its beauty, its possibility, and its heart. Monrovia is resilient and full promise. It is a hidden gem: one that deserves to shine again. It will bounce back! Happy Monrovia day 02/16/2026

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Press Release

26 March 2026

EU and UN Join Forces to Put Victims at the Heart of Liberia’s Ongoing Legal Reforms

PRESS RELEASE
EU and UN Join Forces to Put Victims at the Heart of Liberia’s Ongoing Legal Reforms
Monrovia, 26 February 2026
The European Union, in partnership with the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), has officially launched a new project titled Strengthening Victim Centred Transitional Justice Mechanisms in Liberia during a workshop organized for parliamentary staff on transitional justice. The initiative represents a major step forward promoting justice, accountability, reconciliation and sustainable peace in the country. With an investment of over USD 724,000 covering 2026 and 2027, the project ensures that those most affected by past crimes are no longer sidelined while supporting national efforts to establish credible and inclusive accountability mechanisms.
The Deputy Head of the Delegation of the European Union to Liberia, Zoltan Szalai said: “This initiative reflects the European Union’s strong and long-standing commitment to the people of Liberia in their pursuit of justice and accountability. A victim centred approach is essential to rebuilding trust, strengthening the rule of law and ensuring that the painful experiences of the past are acknowledged. The European Union will continue to stand with Liberia in advancing a peaceful, inclusive and democratic society where no one is left behind.”
The Representative of OHCHR in Liberia, Christian Mukosa, said: “OHCHR is committed to ensuring this project bolsters the results obtained this far by national stakeholders, including with the support of OHCHR, to ensure the operationalization of victim-centred judicial mechanisms such as the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) and the National Anti-Corruption Court (NACC) brings redress to victims of past gross human rights violations and corruption-related offences to contribute to reconciliation and prevent recurrence.”
The initiative provides crucial technical support to build credible and inclusive systems for the establishment of the WECC and the NACC. By working alongside the Ministry of Justice, the Judiciary, the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (OWECC-L), and the Liberian Anti-Corruption Commission (LACC), the project will contribute to the training and reinforce the technical capacity of national investigators, prosecutors, and judges to handle complex cases while ensuring that victims and witnesses feel safe, heard, and protected.
Considering that Justice happens both in the courtroom and in the community, this project extends its reach to civil society organisations, the academia, and the media to monitor the process effectively. It also creates a vital safety net for whistleblowers and human rights
defenders so they can speak truth to power without fear. Through targeted community engagement, the initiative ensures that women, youth, and persons with disabilities are lead architects of the reconciliation process and the development of the country.
For more information, please contact: Jesadeh Boley Nyakonah Jesadeh.BOLEY@eeas.europa.eu +231 881 937 048
Or
Christian Mukosa
mukosa@un.org
+231 779 309 675

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Press Release

29 January 2026

OHCHR strengthens the capacity of Liberian lawyers on transitional justice principles and accountability for past violations

Today marks the end of a two-day specialized workshop to strengthen the capacity of Liberian lawyers on transitional justice and accountability for past crimes. The training has started on 28 January in Monrovia organized jointly by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the Liberian National Bar Association (LNBA), the Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia (AFELL) and the Organization for Women and Children (ORWOCH).
“As the establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (WECC) and the National Anti-Corruption Court (NACC) moves forward, it is essential to ensure that national lawyers are equipped to contribute meaningfully to the design, implementation, and operationalization of these two courts in alignment with international human rights norms and standards, including to support victims’ participation and to uphold international due process and fair trial standards” said Mr. Christian Mukosa, Representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Liberia.
During the opening ceremony, the Minister of Justice and Attorney General , the representative of the Judiciary, the Law Reform Commission Chair, the Dean of the School of Law, the Executive Director of the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court (OWECC-L) and the United Nations Resident Coordinator highlighted the importance of this training for the Liberian lawyers and the crucial role they play in strengthening the rule of law in the country. Also, the Minister of Justice has reiterated the Government’s resolve to address impunity for international crimes and complex corruption-related offences “We are dedicated to equipping our legal professionals with the tools, knowledge and support required to provide a judicial response to international crimes and corruption-related offences aligned with international legal standards” stated the Minister. The UN Resident Coordinator reiterated the support of the UN to the ongoing transitional justice processes in the country.
Focusing on addressing impunity for gross human rights violations and serious violations committed during Liberia’s civil crises and wars, and corruption-related offences, the two-day specialized workshop was attended by 35 selected lawyers including 20 women. “We need to ensure the judicial mechanisms established to bring justice for the victims of the civil war are gender focused. This training is a great opportunity to equip us with the tools to ensure providing a gendered justice response to international crimes and corruption-related offences becomes a reality” shared a participating female lawyer.
More specifically, the workshop built participants’ capacity on key principles for promoting a victim-centered judicial response to gross violations of human rights law and serious violations of international humanitarian law. These included the notions of transitional justice, the normative
framework related to investigation and prosecution of complex crimes, international crimes and foundation of liability, issues related to crimes committed against children and the gender dimension in investigation and prosecution of international crimes. The various sessions were facilitated by international experts mainly from the United Nations and national legal experts offering the opportunity for Liberian lawyers to discuss further some of the issues raised during the training.
“The strong commitment expressed by the participating lawyers to the promotion of a victim-centered judicial response to gross human rights violations, and corruption-related crimes perpetrated in Liberia, demonstrates the necessity of equipping national lawyers with the skills needed to represent victims in front of the future WECC and NACC and beyond” added Mr. Mukosa.
This workshop is part of OHCHR’s ongoing support to the national transitional justice process through its project aimed at strengthening the capacity of government institutions and national stakeholders for a participatory, inclusive, and victim-centered transitional justice processes in Liberia.
END//

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Press Release

28 January 2026

UN Human Rights Office report says violations prevented in 2025 Senate and House of Representative by-elections in Nimba County

A new report issued today by the Office of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Liberia says strategic human rights engagements led by the Government and national institutions during Senatorial and House of Representatives by-elections in Nimba County contributed to peaceful elections and helped prevent human rights violations.
The Report on the human rights situation in the context of the 2025 Senatorial and House of Representatives by-elections in Liberia’s Nimba County, 22 April and 12 August 2025 is based on findings and information collected during monitoring and verification activities conducted by OHCHR between March and December 2025, including on the ground in Nimba County. The report demonstrates how well-trained security forces, regular political engagements, with a focus on human rights, capacity building, and monitoring of the situation, minimized or prevented human rights violations and abuses in the two elections.
The report identifies measures taken by the Liberian authorities, including engagement with various stakeholders such as political parties and candidates, the conduct of joint civic voter education and gender awareness campaigns and the improved transparency of the processes through daily press briefings conducted in Nimba County and updates through social media platforms by the National Election Commission (NEC), and the increased deployment and patrols of unarmed police and security officers - including female officers - who had already undergone human rights and elections training organized by OHCHR in the context of the 2023 general elections. These steps contributed to peaceful by-elections in Nimba and helped to prevent a range of violations.
“The lessons learned and good practices documented in this report should inform the planning of future elections in Liberia” said Christian Mukosa, Representative of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) in Liberia.
OHCHR findings also highlight the need to ensure all human rights concerns observed are adequately addressed , including the lack of prompt investigation of reported cases of election-related violence and human rights violations, persistent use of divisive and discriminatory messages by some candidates and political leaders, cases of gender-based discrimination and violence- that may have limited women’s safe participation in public affairs- as well as inadequate access by persons with disabilities to polling stations and other election-related infrastructure and materials .
The report sets out key recommendations to the Government of Liberia to strengthen prevention of human rights violations in the context of elections and to ensure accountability for victims. It also recommends that the international community should continue to support the human rights-based approach to planning, monitoring and reporting in the context of elections in Liberia.
“OHCHR will continue engaging and supporting the Government of Liberia and relevant stakeholders including the NEC, the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR) and Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) on capacity building, human rights monitoring, and advocacy prior to, during and after elections, in a bid to contribute to peaceful elections and minimize and prevent the occurrence of election-related violence and human rights violations in the country” said Mukosa.
LINK TO THE REPORT
End//

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Press Release

17 December 2025

National Peace Hut Election

Women Peacebuilders Elect New National Peace Hut Leadership in Transparent and Peaceful ProcessTotota, Bong County — 13 December 2025. Women members of Peace Huts from across all 15 counties gathered at the Totota Peace Hut in Bong County to elect a new National Peace Hut Leadership, marking the first leadership renewal since 2019. The election represents an important milestone in strengthening women-led peacebuilding, community mediation, and social cohesion across Liberia.The initiative was supported by the Governments of Ireland and Sweden, with technical and logistical assistance from UN Women Liberia; in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MGCSP), Women NGO Secretariat of Liberia, and Association of Female Lawyers of Liberia, the election brought together Peace Hut representatives to reinforce democratic governance, accountability, and inclusive leadership within the network. The process also served as an opportunity to further popularize the newly developed Standard Operating Procedure (SOP), with the support of the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund that will guide Peace Hut operations across the country.The newly elected leaders are: Madam Velma P. Sajery (President), Madam Esther Dolo (Vice President), Madam Mamie Varjolo (Secretary), Madam Hawa Isango (Financial Secretary), and Madam Annie Y. Merchant (Chaplain).Independent observer Krubo Flomo, Social Worker at MGCSP Bong County, commended the peaceful conduct of the polls:“The Ministry’s role was not only to observe but to encourage women to see leadership as service to their communities. The election was peaceful and transparent, and when the results were announced, everyone celebrated with joy — even candidates who did not win.”D. Mulbah K’anglai, who served as Chair of the Election Commission, emphasized the commitment of Peace Hut members to credible and inclusive leadership:“I witnessed firsthand how peaceful and transparent the process was. The new leadership will move the organization forward by embracing new ideas and encouraging Peace Hut women to advance collectively.”In addition to the election, participants took part in structured orientation and capacity-building sessions focused on democratic leadership and internal governance. The induction prepared the newly elected leaders for their roles, strengthened accountability within the network, and supported smooth leadership transition and coordination at national and county levels. The sessions also helped familiarize participants with the Peace Hut Standard Operating Procedures, developed with support from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, which will guide Peace Hut operations nationwide.For more than a decade, Peace Huts have played a critical role in preventing and mediating community conflict, supporting survivors of violence, and advancing women’s participation in peacebuilding, local governance and political processes. Renewing leadership ensures the network remains effective, unified, and aligned with its mission of community-driven peacebuilding and women’s leadership.UN Women Liberia remains committed to supporting Peace Huts through technical, logistical, and communication assistance, and to strengthening women’s leadership and community resilience throughout Liberia.

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Press Release

20 October 2025

Onboarding Training Launched to Establish County Development Planning Units in South-eastern Counties (Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Sinoe, Maryland, and Grand Kru Counties)

The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA), with support from the Government of Liberia through counterpart funding to the Liberia Decentralization Support Programme (LDSP) managed by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), and from the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) through UN Women under the project “Empowering Citizens and Communities to Foster Social Accountability and Transparency in Governance and Public Service Delivery,” launched a five-day onboarding training to establish County Development Planning Units in five south-eastern counties - Grand Gedeh, River Gee, Maryland, Grand Kru and Sinoe. Held in Zwedru from 20–24 October 2025, the exercise convened 70 County Development Planning Officers, along with County Officials, Heads of MACs, and facilitators from the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Governance Commission, Internal Audit Agency, and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP). Several local technicians also participated. The event aimed to advance the implementation of the Local Government Act of 2018 under the theme “Building a New Liberia through Decentralization.”Opening the workshop, Hon. Selena Polson Mappy, Deputy Minister for Operations, MIA, called the establishment of County Development Planning Units “a landmark step toward strengthening local governance and ensuring citizens experience the real benefits of decentralization,” noting that the units will serve as the technical arm of county administrations, linking local priorities to national planning and monitoring frameworks.Hon. D. Emmanuel Wheinyue, Assistant Minister for Research and Development Planning, MIA, explained that each County Development Planning Unit will consist of five key technical roles: Development Planning Officer, Project Engineer, Data Analyst, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, and Gender and Social Inclusion Officer. He emphasized that “these units will bridge the gap between local development aspirations and the Government’s national agenda by promoting participatory and accountable planning.”The event also featured statements from the Governance Commission and the MFDP, underscoring coordination, transparency and accountability in county development planning. Mr. D. Emmanuel Williams II, Director of Public Service Investment Programs at the MFDP described County Development Agendas as “practical roadmaps that connect national policy with community-level needs,” emphasizing that the success of decentralization depends on the functionality and effectiveness of the new units.Mrs. Oretha T. Lah-Bangurah, Programme Support Officer, UN Women, expressed appreciation for the strong partnership with the Ministry of Internal Affairs and commended the Government of Liberia for its leadership in rolling out the LGA. “Decentralization is not only about structures or systems; it is about people,” she said. “It ensures that every voice, particularly those of women, youth and marginalized groups, is heard and reflected in development decisions that shape their lives.” She added that UN Women’s support through the PBF project aligns with its commitment to inclusive and gender-responsive governance.Delivering remarks on behalf of UNDP, Mr. Eric Boykai, Interim National Program Coordinator of the Liberia Decentralization Support Programme emphasized that County Development Planning Units are the link between national vision and county-level action and encouraged participants to use the week’s tools and templates to translate local priorities into implementable projects with clear responsibilities and timelines. He further concluded that the County Development Planning Units play a critical role in advancing local governance by formulating inclusive, evidence-based development plans aligned with national priorities. They also serve as a vital link between local and central government to ensure coordinated aid and resource alignment, while monitoring development activities to promote transparency, accountability, and effective service delivery.Across the week, facilitators from the MIA, the MFDP, the Governance Commission, the Internal Audit Agency Unit at the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection are guiding modules on inclusive planning methods, Public Sector Investment Programme, developing concept notes and proposal templates, programme budgeting, internal audit and compliance, monitoring and evaluation, and gender-responsive planning and budgeting, among others. Sessions combine presentations with group work and practical use of standard templates so county teams leave with draft materials they can refine and adopt through their administrations.The onboarding in Zwedru is the final step in achieving the legal requirement for all 15 counties to establish County Development Planning Units in Liberia.

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