Liberia

In 2021, a cornerstone of the Fund’s investment in Liberia has been advancing the leadership and engagement of women as a key aspect of sustaining peace. A $1.5 million initiative of UN-Women and OHCHR helped to strengthen accountability mechanisms of the Government’s national action plan on women and peace and security and produced a Government-endorsed innovative finance strategy to implement the plan. At the same time, a $1.3 million project implemented by the organization ZOA supports 2,000 women and 2,000 young women and men to monitor indicators of violence through women’s situation rooms, through which 530 cases have been addressed, including 20 cases of election-related violence in the lead-up to a November 2021 by-election. In addition to fostering the empowerment of women, a $4 million investment through UNDP, UN-Women and WFP promotes better dialogue between local communities and extractive industries and supports community access to land. Through the project, Nimba Rubber Incorporated has compensated communities affected by the rubber industry through educational and livelihood support. Three environmental and social impact studies will lead to a greater understanding of the environmental impact of mining and other extractive industries in Nimba, Cape Mount and Sinoe Counties. To promote better conditions at the outset of contracting, 208 early warning monitors have been deployed to counties in Liberia and will play an important accountability function by monitoring the implementation of concession contracts.