Liberia’s Rural Women Feed the Nation, Build Peace, But Remain Locked Out of Opportunities

MONROVIA — Madam Esther David Yango, Executive Director of the Women’s NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), has called on the Government of Liberia(GoL) to take concrete steps to address the challenges facing rural women, warning that despite their contributions to food production, local economies, and community peacebuilding, many continue to face barriers to economic opportunities and meaningful participation in decision-making.

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By Patience M. Jones,[email protected]

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Her call comes as Liberia joins the world in observing the International Day of Rural Women on October 15, a day dedicated to recognizing rural women’s contributions and drawing attention to the challenges they face.

Across Liberia, rural women help feed families, sustain local economies, and resolve community conflicts. Yet many continue to struggle with limited access to land, financing, education, healthcare, technology, and leadership opportunities.

From farming and trading in local markets to caring for families and mediating community disputes, rural women play a critical role in the country’s economic and social development. Their contributions also extend to peacebuilding, reconciliation, and efforts to strengthen relationships within communities.

Despite these responsibilities, many rural women face barriers that limit their ability to expand their businesses, improve their livelihoods, and participate meaningfully in decisions affecting their communities.

The observance provides an opportunity for the government, development partners, civil society organizations, and traditional leaders to move beyond celebrating rural women and take practical steps to address the challenges they face.

Rural Women at the Center of Peacebuilding

Beyond their economic contributions, rural women play an important role in maintaining peace and social cohesion across Liberia.

In communities throughout the country, women help resolve disputes, encourage dialogue, rebuild relationships, and bring people together across social and cultural divisions.

Their involvement in community peacebuilding demonstrates that sustainable peace requires more than formal agreements and government initiatives. It also depends on the participation of people who understand the challenges facing their communities and work daily to address them.

Rural women also support survivors of violence and contribute to efforts to prevent violence against women and girls. Through community networks and local leadership structures, they help create spaces where difficult issues can be discussed and conflicts addressed.

However, their contributions to peacebuilding must be matched by meaningful participation in decision-making, particularly in processes concerning local development, security, land rights, and reconciliation.

Recognizing women as peacebuilders means ensuring that they are not merely invited to meetings but are given opportunities to influence decisions and shape policies affecting their lives.

Limited Access to Resources Remains a Challenge

Despite their role in sustaining households and communities, rural women continue to face significant economic and social challenges.

Limited access to land, financial services, markets, education, healthcare, and technology can make it difficult for women to improve agricultural production, establish businesses, and achieve financial independence.

These barriers can also affect their ability to support their children’s education, access essential services, and contribute more effectively to local economic development.

For women who depend on farming and small-scale trading, access to affordable financing, agricultural tools, reliable markets, and skills training can make the difference between struggling to survive and building sustainable livelihoods.

Addressing these challenges requires deliberate investment in rural communities, policies that protect women’s rights, and programs that provide women with the resources needed to improve their economic circumstances.

Calls for Greater Government Commitment

As the International Day of Rural Women is observed, the Government of Liberia and its development partners are being urged to strengthen support for rural women by improving their access to economic opportunities, essential services, and leadership positions.

Civil society organizations, traditional leaders, and other stakeholders also have a role to play in ensuring that rural women are included in development planning and community decision-making.

Support must extend beyond public recognition to practical interventions that improve women’s access to land, credit, education, healthcare, agricultural resources, and markets.

Equally important is the need to protect rural women’s rights, strengthen their participation in peacebuilding, and create opportunities for them to lead community development initiatives.

Investing in rural women can produce wider benefits for Liberia. When women have the resources to increase their income and improve agricultural production, households can become more financially secure, communities can become more resilient, and food security can improve.

Their participation in peacebuilding and local governance can also strengthen social cohesion and promote more inclusive development.

Empowering Rural Women Is Essential to Liberia’s Future

The International Day of Rural Women is observed annually on October 15 to recognize rural women’s contributions and highlight the challenges they face.

For Liberia, the observance is a reminder that the country’s development cannot be separated from the well-being and empowerment of the women who sustain rural households, contribute to food production, and help maintain peace within their communities.

Rural women should not be viewed merely as beneficiaries of development programs. They are farmers, entrepreneurs, caregivers, community leaders, and peacebuilders whose knowledge and experience are essential to national progress.

Ensuring that they have access to resources, opportunities, and decision-making spaces is not simply a matter of recognition; it is an investment in Liberia’s economic growth, social stability, and long-term development.

As the country marks the day, the challenge is to translate recognition into action by protecting rural women’s rights, investing in their livelihoods, amplifying their voices, and ensuring their meaningful participation in decisions affecting their future.

When rural women thrive, Liberia thrives. When rural women lead, peace grows. And when rural women are empowered, Liberia moves closer to a more inclusive and prosperous future.