In a Country facing poverty and economic hardship, rural women remain among the most vulnerable. In Juarzon Statutory District, Sinoe County, women face severe challenges due to limited opportunities and lack of capacity. To address this, the Natural Resource Women Platform (NRWP), with support from OXFAM-Liberia, worked to empower women and improve livelihoods through capacity-building initiatives in Gbason Town, Karmo Town, Sargbeh, and Bilibokree.
From 2018 to 2020, the NRWP implemented projects designed to boost the economic and social standing of rural women. Activities implemented during the project period include Cassava Processing Mills, Bamboo Arts and Crafts, Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLA), Peace Building Initiatives and Awareness on the 2018 Land Rights Law of Liberia.
These interventions aim to promote inclusion, improve livelihoods, and enable women to actively participate in community decision-making on land, property, and natural resources.
In 2019, NRWP conducted a comprehensive assessment in the four communities. Led by Radiatu Sheriff Kahnplaye (Policy Advisor), Veronica B. Gray (Head of Secretariat), and Windor B.K. Smith (Gender Coordinator), the study revealed an abundance of natural resources on the communities’ land including Ratite, Monkey van, Bamboo, Kola nuts, Bush pepper, Medicinal plants and Cocoa. It also confirmed that women are predominantly involved in subsistence farming for survival.
The project also trained Men and youths on how to make furniture from bamboo and provided them with essential materials for the making of bamboo art and crafts.
As part of the activity implemented under the project, the NRWP provided a locally made mobile cassava processing mills for the four communities. These mills significantly reduce the time and labor required to process cassava into gari, fufu, and starch for the communities.
“Seeing the cassava mill in our community makes me happy. We no longer need to grate cassava by hand, which took us days,” said Jacquline G. Jaydoe, a young female farmer from the community.”
In January 2021, due to growing demand, NRWP installed additional mills in Bilibokree and Karmo town, and provided training for twenty-seven (27) individuals including women, girls, and young men to ensure effective use.
“We have been using our hands for a very long time to grate cassava, Receiving this cassava mill today is a blessing for our community, with this mill, we will be able to produce more farina,” said Kanfalie M. Bility, a youth from Bilibokree.”
To maximize economic impact, NRWP also organized Market Linkages meetings, connecting producers with buyers and expanding cassava sales across communities.
With desire to improve the livelihood of the community, especially women, NRWP introduced VSLAs in each community, composed primarily of women. Each group trained in financial literacy and group management, received a metal safe deposit box use from savings from cassava sales and other sources to build income. This initiative fostered financial independence and strengthened economic resilience.
To ensure women have a voice in governance, NRWP facilitated the formation of the Juarzon District Council. This structure allows women and girls to engage in discussions and decisions regarding land, property, and natural resources at all levels, community, clan, chiefdom, and district.
Understanding the Land Rights Law of Liberia is essential for empowering women. The NRWP Produced simplified versions of the law in flyers and booklets, distributed them strategically throughout the four communities and Conducted awareness campaigns targeting traditional and local government leaders. Additionally, four women from the project appeared on Liberty Radio in Greenville to discuss women’s rights regarding land and natural resources.
This exercise is intended to contribute to influencing decision on issues of women’s property rights including land and natural resource rights,” said Veronica Gray, NRWP Head of Secretariat.”
Recognizing that sustainable development requires peace, NRWP implemented peace building initiatives in Karmo Town and Bilibokree, where a post-election dispute had caused long-standing tensions.
Using community drama and sports events like soccer and kickball, NRWP helped resolve a four-year conflict within the communities. “Members of the Peace Committee now serve as Peace Ambassadors, promoting messages of harmony throughout the communities,” said Windor B.K. Smith, Gender Coordinator.