A one-day legal awareness and agricultural training for women farmers, including women living with disabilities, concluded in Tubmanburg with participants calling for stronger action to protect their rights and improve livelihoods.
The workshop, themed “Enhancing the Capacity of Women Farmers by Providing Knowledge on the Legal Rights of Women with Disabilities,” brought together 18 women from across Bomi County. Discussions focused on land ownership, access to justice, and strategies to boost agricultural productivity.
Project Officer Varbah Beyan explained that prior assessments revealed significant gaps in legal knowledge among women farmers. Between 50 and 75 percent of those surveyed lacked awareness of their rights, particularly regarding land tenure. “Without secure land ownership, women remain vulnerable to exploitation and exclusion,” she said, stressing the urgency of bridging these gaps.
Facilitator Prince Fromoyan, Executive Director of TeTRAP, urged participants to be proactive in defending their rights. He emphasized that women must stand firm against violations, especially in disputes over land and access to justice.
Fromoyan also challenged the Government of Liberia and donor partners to move beyond policy rhetoric and deliver tangible improvements. “Awareness alone is not enough. Women need concrete support that changes their daily realities,” he asserted.
Participants described the training as timely and impactful. Many expressed gratitude to the organizers — the Platform for Dialogue and Peace (P4DP) and its partners — for creating space to learn and share experiences. Several pledged to apply the lessons within their communities and farming groups.
Speaking on behalf of women with disabilities, Zinnah Powell highlighted persistent marginalization in national development efforts. She called for inclusive programming and greater donor support. “Persons with disabilities are often left behind. We need partners to ensure our voices are heard and our contributions valued,” Powell said. Despite challenges, she committed to sharing the knowledge gained and strengthening local farming networks.
The training formed part of the Project for Women Socioeconomic Leadership and Resilience, supported by the Women Peace and Humanitarian Fund. Implemented in Bomi, Montserrado, Grand Bassa, and Grand Gedeh counties, the initiative seeks to enhance the legal, social, and economic empowerment of women farmers, particularly those with disabilities.
At the close of the session, participants received basic farming tools — including shovels, rakes, and cutlasses — as part of a skills support package to reinforce agricultural activities. Organizers said the tools symbolized a commitment to pairing knowledge with practical resources.
The event underscored the intersection of legal rights and agricultural empowerment. For many women, secure land ownership and access to justice remain elusive, limiting their ability to expand farming and contribute fully to community development. By equipping women with legal awareness and practical tools, the initiative aims to strengthen resilience and leadership at the grassroots level.
As participants departed Tubmanburg, their message was clear: awareness must translate into action. Women farmers in Bomi County are ready to assert their rights — but they insist that government and partners must deliver the structural support needed to make empowerment real.
