Monrovia, Liberia — March 8, 2026
On the occasion of International Women’s Day, the Natural Resource Women Platform (NRWP) extends solidarity to women across Liberia and around the world, particularly the resilient women in rural and forest communities who continue to lead, organize, and sustain their communities despite numerous social, economic, and environmental challenges.
Across Liberia, women play a critical role in food production, forest protection, and the sustainable management of natural resources. Women farmers cultivate the land that feeds families and communities, while many women serve as community organizers and advocates for responsible natural resource governance.
Yet despite these vital contributions, women continue to face systemic barriers, including limited access to land ownership, exclusion from decision-making spaces, and disproportionate impacts from environmental degradation and climate change.
“Women are not only affected by environmental and climate challenges, they are leaders, innovators, and defenders of the land,” NRWP emphasizes. “When women’s voices are included in decisions about land and natural resources, communities become stronger, ecosystems are better protected, and development becomes more just and sustainable.”
Across communities in Liberia, women continue to demonstrate extraordinary resilience and leadership. Many women are on the front lines of protecting community land, forests, and livelihoods, while also organizing to promote sustainable practices, strengthen food security, and demand accountability in natural resource governance.
International Women’s Day is therefore not only a moment to celebrate women’s contributions, but also a call to action for governments, institutions, and private actors to address the structural barriers that limit women’s rights and participation.
The Natural Resource Women Platform calls for:
- Equal access to land and natural resources for women
- Meaningful participation of women in decision-making processes
- Stronger protection of communities from environmental harm
- Gender-responsive climate and environmental policies
Empowering women and recognizing their leadership is essential for achieving environmental justice, climate resilience, and inclusive development.
NRWP reaffirms its commitment to strengthening women’s voices and leadership in natural resource governance and will continue working alongside communities to promote gender equality, environmental protection, and accountable management of Liberia’s natural resources.
When women are empowered to lead and participate fully in decisions about land and natural resources, communities thrive, and our shared future becomes more sustainable.
Happy International Women’s Day.