World Bank: World Bank Country Manager Commends Liberia’s Efforts in Gender-Responsive Budgeting

MONROVIA-The World Bank Country Manager for Liberia, Georgia Wallen, has lauded Liberia’s strides in advancing gender equality through its commitment to Gender-Responsive and Participatory Budgeting (GRPB). Speaking at the opening of a five-day training workshop organized by the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection (MGCSP) under the Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP), Wallen emphasized the importance of inclusive governance and strategic investments in women’s empowerment.

“This week’s training is an important step in achieving governance that serves the needs and interests of all Liberians, particularly women and girls,” Wallen said. She highlighted how GRPB is central to the World Bank’s mission to end extreme poverty and promote shared prosperity, particularly through targeted investments in women and youth.

Drawing lessons from global examples, Wallen referenced successes in countries like South Africa, Zimbabwe, and India, where GRPB has enhanced resource allocation for critical issues such as reducing child sexual abuse, addressing domestic violence, and lowering taxes on essential goods for women.

“With your efforts, Liberia can become a model for other countries, demonstrating how gender-sensitive budgets can create opportunities and reduce disparities,” she stated.

The World Bank funds the $44.6 million Liberia Women Empowerment Project, which aims to empower women and girls in six counties: Montserrado, Bomi, Grand Cape Mount, Gbarpolu, Grand Gedeh, and Rivercess.

The training, held at the Lutheran Compound on 13th Street in Sinkor, began on Monday, November 18, 2024, under the theme, “Strengthening Public Institutions to Advance Gender Equality.”

Hon. Fredrick S. Cooper, Deputy Minister for Administration and Acting Minister of MGCSP, underscored the need for gender-sensitive budgeting as a transformative tool for national development.

“Gender budgeting is new to Liberia, but it is vital to our national development plans. This training equips participants with the tools to ensure that gender equality is integrated into resource allocation and policy planning,” he remarked.

Cooper urged participants to fully embrace the knowledge shared during the training and apply it within their respective institutions to create meaningful impact.

Mrs. Lawodo Nimely Thomas, Senior Economist at MGCSP’s Gender and Social Inclusion Unit (GSIU), highlighted the importance of integrating gender considerations into national budgets.

“Gender-responsive budgeting is not a separate budget. It’s about embedding gender equality into our existing frameworks to address systemic gaps,” she explained.

Thomas detailed the expected outcomes of the training, including strengthened capacity to conduct gender analysis, enhanced interagency coordination, and the development of a clear roadmap for gender-sensitive governance.

Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of Health, Hon. Martha Morris, stressed the need for greater collaboration and male allyship in achieving gender equality.

“Unless policies, programs, and budgets are designed to impact everyone equally, the fight for gender responsiveness will remain a vain effort. Health is everyone’s business, but women are the key drivers of sustainable change,” she said.

She reaffirmed the Ministry of Health’s commitment to integrating gender considerations into all its programs, policies, and budgets.

This training, under Component 4 of the Liberia Women Empowerment Project, is part of broader efforts to ensure that public budgets reflect the needs of all genders. With support from the World Bank, Liberia is advancing toward a more inclusive society where gender equality is not just an aspiration but a fundamental principle of governance.

As participants prepare to return to their respective institutions, they are tasked with leading transformative changes to mainstream gender equity in national development, marking a significant step forward in Liberia’s journey toward sustainable and inclusive growth.

The Liberia Women Empowerment Project (LWEP) is a 44.6 million dollar World Bank funded intended to foster positive social norms; promote resilient livelihoods for women and girls and strengthen public institutions to advance gender equality.