Across Montserrado, Nimba, and Lofa Counties, an important step toward women’s economic empowerment and the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence is taking place.
For many women and girls, poverty, limited access to education and livelihood opportunities, harmful traditional practices, and gender inequality continue to restrict their ability to participate fully in economic and community life. Survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), former female genital mutilation (FGM) practitioners, girls at risk, women living with disabilities, and female-headed households often face multiple barriers that leave them vulnerable to exclusion and economic hardship.
Today, through the Spotlight Initiative 2.0, supported by the European Union and UN Women Liberia and implemented by Youth Crime Watch of Liberia (YCWL), new opportunities are being created for some of the most vulnerable women and girls in Liberia.
The process began not with training sessions or livelihood support, but with community engagement and dialogue. Between 20–26 May 2026, YCWL convened stakeholder engagement meetings in Vezala, Lofa County; Banquelleh, Nimba County; and Block Path Community, Montserrado County.
The meetings brought together representatives from the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, local government authorities, civil society organizations, community leaders, religious leaders, representatives of persons with disabilities, SGBV survivors, girls at risk, former Zoes, practicing Zoes, and women’s groups.
Together, participants discussed community challenges, economic opportunities, and the importance of ensuring that women and girls most affected by violence, harmful practices, and economic exclusion are not left behind. Through these consultations, stakeholders helped shape the beneficiary identification process and strengthened community ownership of the intervention.