The Armed Forces of Liberia (AFL) and UN Women Liberia have officially inaugurated a new project funded by the Elsie Initiative Fund (EIF) designed to transform the military into a more gender-responsive institution.
This two-year endeavor focuses on dismantling the systemic barriers that have historically limited the participation of women within the AFL and aims to significantly expand the number of Liberian women qualified for United Nations peacekeeping missions. By focusing on the unique challenges faced by women in uniform, the project seeks to move beyond mere representation and toward meaningful leadership and service.
The project’s strategy is rooted in the findings of the 2021 Measuring Opportunities for Women in Peace Operations (MOWIP) assessment, which identified social exclusion, rigid deployment criteria, and infrastructure gaps as primary hurdles for female personnel.
To counter these issues, the initiative will implement a multi-faceted approach that includes aggressive recruitment campaigns and awareness-raising activities to frame the security sector as a viable career path for women.
For those already in service, the project will strengthen the AFL Gender and Social Inclusion Department, provide specialized capacity-building training, and improve access to essential reproductive and mental health services to ensure overall well-being.
A critical component of this reform is the establishment of more robust accountability measures. The project will enhance reporting mechanisms to specifically address and mitigate sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment within the ranks.
These efforts support the Ministry of National Defense’s ambitious goal of doubling the percentage of women in the AFL from its current 7.5% to 15% within the next two years. By updating policies related to retention and whistleblowing, the AFL intends to create a safer, more professional environment that mirrors the progress seen in other national agencies like the Liberia National Police, which currently maintains a 19% female workforce.
UN Women Liberia Country Representative Comfort Lamptey emphasized that this partnership is a vital step toward creating a representative security sector that reflects the population it serves. This initiative aligns with Liberia’s international obligations under UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those concerning gender equality and peace.
Since its inception in 2019, the Elsie Initiative Fund has supported 25 national security institutions globally, and this latest project cements Liberia’s position as a leader in security sector reform within the West African region.
