A Rural Woman’s Journey to Confidence and Inclusion.
How one opportunity inspired Miatta Siryon of Grand Cape Mount to find her voice and believe that rural women belong in Liberia’s national conversations.
By Lazota Bility
For years, Miatta Siryon said she watched opportunities pass her rural community in Grand Cape Mount County by. Like many rural women, she often felt left out of conversations that shape Liberia’s future.
But that changed when she attended the two-day National Conference on Women’s Financial Inclusion in Monrovia.
According to her, the conference was more than just a national event. It became a turning point in her life. It gave her confidence, renewed her hope, and reminded her that women from Liberia’s rural communities also belong in the country’s biggest conversations and decision-making spaces.
“Coming from a rural community where we have felt left out for so many years, sitting with great women in Liberia is so motivating for me,” Miatta said.
Raised in rural Grand Cape Mount, Miatta said opportunities for women in her community have often been limited. Yet she believes confidence and a willingness to learn can create opportunities, regardless of a person’s educational background.
“I always tell people I don’t know book, but I have never tried to hide myself at the back. I have always tried to say something and learn something. My business and my calculations are what I can boast of,” she said.
Throughout the conference, Miatta participated in discussions on women’s financial inclusion, interacted with female leaders, policymakers, entrepreneurs, and development partners, and drew inspiration from their experiences. She said that, for the first time, she felt women from rural communities like hers were being recognized and included.
At the conclusion of the conference, Miatta said she experienced a moment she never imagined. meeting former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, a woman she had admired for years.
“I never thought I would shake hands with Ellen Johnson Sirleaf,” she said with a smile.
While the meeting was a memorable way to end the conference, Miatta said the greatest impact was not the handshake itself but the confidence she gained throughout the two-day event. She left believing that women from rural communities have a place in Liberia’s national conversations and can contribute meaningfully to the country’s development.
Inspired by the experience, she is now encouraging women across Liberia especially those living in rural communities to step forward, participate in decision-making processes, and become agents of change.
“I want all local women in Liberia to wake up and be part of the change in their communities. Our voices matter, and we can make a difference if we are willing to step forward,” she said.
Miatta’s journey shows that sometimes a single opportunity can change how a person sees herself. From a woman who once felt overlooked to one who now believes in the power of her voice, her story reflects the importance of inclusion, confidence, and creating opportunities for rural women to thrive.
Like Miatta, Niomia Cisco from Buchanan City, Grand Bassa County, said the National Conference on Women’s Financial Inclusion strengthened her to become more business-minded after listening to the success stories of successful entrepreneurs.
She said women need to stand up because they are the backbone of every society.
“I really enjoyed this two-day training, and I hope the organizers can increase the number of days next time. Women, let’s stand up and do something. We are the backbone of our families,” she said.
The two-day National Conference on Women’s Financial Inclusion was held at the Ministerial Complex in Congo Town from Wednesday July 29– Thursday 30, 2026. The conference was organized by the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN), the Central Bank of Liberia, UN Women Liberia, and other implementing partners and sponsors.
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