Spotlight Initiative 2.0 Validates Second Chance Education Training Module to Expand Opportunities for Women and Girls in Liberia

– Last week, Spotlight Initiative 2.0, funded by the European Union (EU) and implemented through the Government of Liberia and UN Women, in partnership with the HOPE (Helping Our People Excel) Consortium and Youth Crime Watch of Liberia reached another significant milestone with the successful validation of the Second Chance Education (SCE) Training Module.

The validation workshop brought together representatives of the Government of Liberia, United Nations agencies, development partners, civil society organizations, organizations of persons with disabilities, and technical experts to review and strengthen the training package, which is designed to equip women and girls with literacy, life skills, vocational and entrepreneurship skills, and pathways to economic empowerment.

Across Liberia, many women and girls—particularly survivors of gender-based violence, adolescent mothers, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups—continue to face barriers to education, skills development, and sustainable livelihoods. Although national policies promote gender equality and women's empowerment, stakeholders identified the need for a comprehensive Second Chance Education model that integrates literacy, life skills, vocational training, leadership development, entrepreneurship, protection, and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) into a single learning programme.

To address these gaps, Spotlight Initiative 2.0 supported the development of the integrated Second Chance Education Training Module through a participatory and consultative process that included:

• A comprehensive review of national policies and existing programmes;
• Key informant interviews conducted across the eight Spotlight Initiative implementation counties of Bong, Grand Bassa, Grand Cape Mount, Grand Gedeh, Lofa, Maryland, Montserrado, and Nimba;
• Consultations with government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, and organizations representing persons with disabilities; and
• The development of a Facilitator's Manual and Learner's Workbook tailored for participants with limited formal education.

During the validation workshop, participants assessed the curriculum's relevance, practicality, and inclusiveness, providing technical recommendations to strengthen implementation, disability inclusion, learner-centered approaches, and long-term sustainability. Emphasis was placed on accessibility measures, including the provision of learning materials in braille and local languages, ensuring physically accessible training venues, and addressing cultural considerations to support inclusive participation.

The workshop resulted in several key outcomes, including:

• Validation of the integrated Second Chance Education Training Module;
• Agreement to incorporate stakeholders' technical recommendations before finalization;
• Recognition of the module's potential to serve as a scalable national model beyond the Spotlight Initiative; and
• Strengthened collaboration among the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Youth and Sports, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Local Government, the United Nations Resident Coordinator's Office, the European Union, UN Women Liberia, and implementing partners.

Participants also recommended that the curriculum remain flexible to support future implementation cycles and be regularly reviewed to capture lessons learned and improve effectiveness. They further emphasized the importance of a robust monitoring and evaluation framework, including clear performance indicators, routine data collection, and beneficiary feedback mechanisms to inform continuous improvement.

"This module is more than a literacy programme. It provides women and girls with practical skills, confidence, and opportunities to improve their livelihoods while strengthening community resilience. Our collective responsibility is to ensure that it is implemented successfully and sustainably," said Hassan G. Robert, Data Analyst at the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

Following the validation workshop, stakeholders will incorporate the agreed technical recommendations into the final training materials before proceeding with a Training of Trainers (ToT). Implementation of the Second Chance Education programme will subsequently begin across the eight Spotlight Initiative implementation counties, expanding access to education, skills development, and economic opportunities for women and girls throughout Liberia.