Monrovia, Liberia – The first phase of the Liberia Women’s Empowerment Project (LWEP), which was carried out by “SASA,” has come to an end. The project’s goals are to improve livelihood and social services for the communities it targets, promote positive social norms, and increase the government’s ability to progress the empowerment of women and girls by taking a “whole community” approach.
The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection is responsible for implementing the US$44.6 million, three-year LWEP project, which is supported by the World Bank and aims to protect women from gender-based violence, empower women, and promote gender equality.
The project will be carried out in six counties: Bomi, Gbarpolu, Grand Gedeh, Rivercess, Grand Cape Mont, and Rural Montserrado.
A significant step in promoting community-led strategies to reduce violence against women and girls throughout Liberia’s LWEP implementing counties has begun with the five-day program, which began on Monday, June 16 and ends on Friday, June 20, 2025.
The purpose of the start phase training is to give participants a chance to consider how far they have come in laying the groundwork for SASA. Develop a common understanding of the Start Phase’s objectives and results among participants through collaborative programming, and give them the tools they need to carry out the Start Phase.
Additionally, it improves participants’ ability to use SASA efficiently. They may collect and evaluate data for well-informed decision-making and program improvement by combining learning and assessment methods.
The rigorous and life-changing program involved 35 participants, including eight Ministry of Gender officials and representatives from KEEP Liberia, Medica Liberia, Défense for Children International Liberia, Plan International Liberia, and ActionAid Liberia.
“Over the past five days, I have learned about the SASA togetherness, the road a mobolizar should play in the community,” Joshua S. Ballah told reporters following the training. He maintained that over the five days, there was also time for hands-on instruction, particularly in preventive measures.
or her part, Veronica R. Marshall from Rivercess County recommended that there should always be a response from SASA as they have been trained to go in their various counties to do awareness for prevention against violence.
As a key part of the training, Wednesday, June 18 was set aside for a field visit to three of Medica Liberia’s SASA! implementation sites. Participants in the learning tour had the invaluable chance to observe the SASA in action, observe the model in action, and put their knowledge to use in authentic community situations.
In partnership with Rising Voices, the consultant in charge of project component 1a—Fostering healthy social norms via the implementation of the SASA! Methodology—Plan International Liberia, the Lead Service Provider, delivered the five-day workshop.
Reported by: Prince Saah
