Empowering Women to Lead Disaster Resilience in Liberia’s Most Vulnerable Communities

In the flood-prone neighborhoods of Montserrado and Margibi counties, communities are coming together—mapping risks, sharing experiences, and shaping solutions that could redefine how Liberia prepares for disasters.

At the heart of this effort is a new initiative led by UN Women Liberia, in partnership with the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA). Supported by the Government of Japan, the project is taking a proactive approach to disaster resilience by placing women and girls at the center of climate action and community preparedness.

Listening First: Understanding Community Realities

Rather than beginning with ready-made solutions, the initiative starts by listening. Through a Rapid Baseline Assessment and community entry process, teams are working closely with residents in five vulnerable communities—Johnsonville, Doe Community, Clara Town, Kakata, and Cotton Tree—to better understand their daily realities and disaster risks.

Using participatory approaches such as focus group discussions, mapping exercises, and transect walks, women, youth, and local leaders are identifying the challenges they face—from recurrent flooding to limited access to early warning systems and climate-smart technologies. These conversations are helping to generate critical data on livelihoods, gender dynamics, and preparedness capacities, ensuring that future interventions are rooted in local knowledge and priorities. 

Bridging the Resilience Gap

Liberia’s vulnerability to climate-related disasters is compounded by a long-standing focus on response rather than prevention. This has left many communities—particularly women—exposed to recurring shocks.

Women make up approximately 80 percent of the agricultural workforce and produce over 93 percent of Liberia’s food crops, yet they often lack access to the resources and tools needed to adapt to climate risks. 

For women-headed households, which represent about one-third of all households, the impact is even more severe. Floods and other disasters frequently lead to food insecurity and economic instability, deepening existing inequalities. 

From Participation to Leadership

The initiative goes beyond data collection—it is laying the foundation for long-term, community-driven resilience. By engaging traditional leaders, women’s groups, youth networks, and community disaster management committees, the project is fostering trust and local ownership from the outset. 

This inclusive approach ensures that women are not just beneficiaries but active decision-makers in disaster risk reduction efforts.

Building Solutions That Last

The findings from the assessment will guide targeted interventions designed to strengthen both resilience and livelihoods. Planned actions include:

• Expanding access to climate-smart agriculture for women-led groups
• Strengthening community-based disaster risk reduction systems
• Enhancing financial resilience through Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs)
• Supporting the creation of women-led cooperatives equipped with climate-resilient assets 

These efforts aim to equip communities with the tools, knowledge, and systems they need to anticipate, withstand, and recover from climate-related shocks.

A Future Led by Resilient Women

Ultimately, the initiative envisions a shift in how disaster resilience is understood and implemented in Liberia—one where women and girls are recognized as leaders and agents of change.

By strengthening their capacity, amplifying their voices, and supporting sustainable livelihoods, the project is contributing to a broader national goal: building safer, more prepared, and climate-resilient communities.