Liberia: National Forum for Rural Women Land Rights Convenes

• A three-day national forum on rural women's land rights and economic empowerment commenced in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, Liberia, on October 13.
• Organized by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, ForumCIV, and other partners, the event focuses on policy dialogue, access to justice, and economic empowerment.
• Grand Bassa County Superintendent Karyou Johnson emphasized rural women as Liberia's backbone and asserted that "land rights are not a favor; they are a right."
• Deputy Minister Atty. Laura Golakeh pledged the Ministry's support across all 15 counties and stressed the need for strengthening rural women's organizational structures.
• The forum aims to foster stronger accountability and national commitments to improve the social and economic conditions of rural women in Liberia.

Land rights are not a favor; they are a right.

A significant three-day national forum dedicated to the rights and economic advancement of rural women has opened in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, Liberia. This crucial gathering, which began on Tuesday, October 13, precedes Liberia's National Women's Day Celebration and brings together various stakeholders to address critical issues. The event is a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, alongside ForumCIV, the National Rural Women Structure, and the National Alliance for Women Land Rights Liberia, among other key partners.

The forum's overarching theme, "Celebrating Rural Women, Securing Land Rights, and Advancing Resilient Livelihoods," underscores its comprehensive agenda. Participants are engaging in discussions focused on policy dialogue, accountability mechanisms, and evidence-based advocacy. Key areas of focus also include improving access to justice, promoting productive land use, recognizing practical skills, fostering economic empowerment, and reinforcing national commitments to uplift the rights of rural women across Liberia. This Liberia national forum rural women land rights aims to lay groundwork for tangible improvements in their lives.

During the opening ceremony, Grand Bassa County Superintendent Karyou Johnson underscored the historical significance of his county hosting this year's event, emphasizing the indispensable role rural women play in Liberia's societal and economic fabric. Superintendent Johnson characterized rural women as the "backbone of Liberia," noting their crucial contributions to sustaining families, driving national food production, and maintaining agricultural activities despite numerous challenges.

He further elaborated on the persistent difficulties faced by these women, particularly concerning their access to land, justice, and broader economic opportunities. Superintendent Johnson asserted that the forum offers a timely platform to confront these issues, stressing that "land rights are not a favor; they are a right." He also highlighted his administration's commitment to supporting rural women, detailing direct financial aid and agricultural assistance provided to women's groups in county districts during his first budget period, with continued focus on inclusion and program contributions in the second. The Grand Bassa County land rights forum serves as a critical juncture for these discussions.

Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Atty. Laura Golakeh, delivered a keynote address, reaffirming the Ministry's steadfast commitment to collaborating with rural women across all 15 counties of Liberia. Her remarks emphasized the Ministry's dedication to advancing their priorities and development agenda, acknowledging the profound contributions rural women make to their communities, families, and the nation's overall stability. Atty. Laura Golakeh Liberia also recognized the significant challenges confronting rural women and welcomed their calls for enhanced access to opportunities, resources, and support.

Minister Golakeh particularly stressed the imperative of strengthening the organizational structures of rural women. She explained that robust, coordinated structures are essential for ensuring their concerns are effectively communicated and addressed. Such an organized framework would enable the Ministry and its partners to engage more efficiently with rural women nationwide, fostering collective efforts to devise sustainable solutions to their challenges. The Liberia Ministry of Gender women land rights initiative through this forum seeks to solidify these partnerships and commitments. The three-day event is designed to facilitate discussions on practical measures for reinforcing land rights, expanding economic opportunities, and promoting resilient livelihoods, ultimately aiming for stronger accountability and national dedication to improving the social and economic conditions of Liberia rural women economic empowerment.

Lawyers and compliance officers should monitor the outcomes of this national forum for potential policy shifts, legislative reforms, or new advocacy initiatives concerning land tenure and economic rights for rural women in Liberia. These developments could impact land-related transactions, due diligence requirements, and corporate social responsibility obligations, particularly for entities operating in or acquiring land in rural areas.

Source: Original reporting via FrontPage Africa.