Rural Women’s Dialogue Ends with Key Resolutions for Empowerment and Unity in Liberia
By Matalay S. Kollie
October 17, 2025
Gbarnga, Liberia: A two-day national dialogue aimed at strengthening the structures of rural women’s groups across Liberia has ended with the development of a resolution outlining key action points for women’s empowerment and leadership inclusion.
The event, hosted by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection in partnership with the Women NGO Secretariat Network of Liberia (WONGOSOL), brought together over 150 women representing all 15 counties of Liberia.
The dialogue, held from October 15 to 16 in Gbarnga, Bong County, focused on the current challenges facing rural women, including poverty, weakened organizational structures, and limited access to leadership opportunities.
Delphine Morris Regie, a national consultant with the women’s movement at the Ministry of Gender and a key facilitator of the event, expressed her satisfaction with the outcome. “We are glad that this meeting ended with strong points.
The women themselves developed their own action points, which we are now compiling into a resolution to be presented to the Ministry of Gender,” Regie said.
Regie, who hails from Bong County and is a long-standing member of WONGOSOL, emphasized the need for government collaboration to implement the proposed actions.
“These women spoke strongly about the need for leadership re-elections within their structures, economic empowerment, and unity. We encouraged them to remain hopeful, and we reassured them that the Ministry will work closely with them to ensure their voices are heard,” she added.
One of the major concerns raised was the weakening of leadership structures due to poverty and internal conflicts. “If there’s no functionality in leadership, no woman will want to step up and lead,” Regie stated. She urged the Ministry to prioritize support for rural women’s groups and ensure that the resolutions are taken seriously.
Unity among women was also a recurring theme during the dialogue. “We told them, we are women – we can settle our issues ourselves. We shouldn’t allow the men to laugh at us because we’re divided. Let’s come together as a strong, formidable force to move Liberia forward,” Regie said.
The event also focused on fostering leadership among the younger generation of women. “Preparedness for leadership must start early,” she noted. “We need to empower young women with skills and knowledge so they can function effectively in the future. If we older women don’t bring them in now, how can we expect them to take over tomorrow?”
WONGOSOL is also planning a media campaign to promote intergenerational mentorship and the inclusion of younger women in leadership pathways. Regie highlighted the importance of encouraging current women lawmakers and officials to appoint women to strategic roles within their offices, such as chiefs of staff or executive aides. “We have competent women who can fill those roles, but often, political loyalty and campaign favors take precedence,” she explained.
As part of the post-dialogue plan, organizers intend to engage the Women’s Legislative Caucus to advocate for broader support and recognition of women’s leadership potential.
In closing, Regie urged women across the country to support each other in both electoral and leadership processes without expecting immediate rewards. “If you help a woman get into the office today, tomorrow you could be part of her team. Let’s build together without waiting for compensation. That’s how we grow.”
Also speaking to reporters at the end of the dialogue, participants expressed excitement in the meeting and called for stronger implementation of the developed action planned.
The resolution developed at the dialogue will be formally submitted to the Ministry of Gender in the coming weeks, with hopes that it will guide future policy and programs in support of rural women’s empowerment across Liberia.
