Hope Kindergarten School, partner organisation Woriwa. Photo: Wolobah Sali

The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation in Liberia

Kvinna till Kvinna has supported women’s rights in Liberia since 2010 and officially opened its country office in 2011. After the women’s movement played a substantial part in ending the country’s two civil wars, there was little to no participation from women in positions of power, businesses, or government.

Kvinna till Kvinna believes in promoting gender equality from the bottom-up, supporting women and women-led organisations as agents for change, and fostering their unity through creating safe spaces for exchange and networking. According to the Women's NGO Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL), there are over 100 women's organisations in Liberia of which Kvinna till Kvinna has partnered with over 20 of them over the years.

Why we work in Liberia

Liberia has a history of violence and armed conflict. The country’s women’s movement has played a major role in establishing peace—especially in 2003, when they helped end the second civil war. In a context where many have been quick to take up arms, the movement distinguishes itself by its refusal to resort to violence.

One significant illustration of the empowerment of Liberian women was the election of Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf as the country’s first democratically elected female president. Yet despite this positive evolution, structural inequality persists.

The Liberia war, which was in stages from 1990—2003 which displaced millions and killed up to 250,000 people, greatly impacted women. Many women suffered sexual exploitation, abuse, and torture if they refused to provide what the rebels demanded.

WHO reported that during the 14 years of civil conflict in Liberia, the incidence of rape was high among women and girls. It is estimated that from 1990–2003 between 61.4 and 77.4 percent of women and girls in Liberia were raped during the war.

Women’s representation in Liberian politics remains low: 84% of seats in the national legislature are held by men. Women make up less than 11% of the 103 seats in the national Legislature. Many women struggle to access the labour market or get loans. Held back by illiteracy and a lack of education, they are often stuck in extreme poverty.

Gender-based violence is worryingly prevalent in society—from rape and domestic abuse to harmful traditional practices such as female genital mutilation. In theory, Liberia has laws to protect women’s rights, including a national action plan on UNSC resolution 1325. But as most of these laws remain unimplemented, they have made little difference on women’s daily lives.

Rights holder Mamie, Rural Women Rights Structures in Liberia. Photo: The Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation/Vita W. Kwarbo

How we support women in Liberia

Together with our partner organisations in Liberia, we:

  • support women’s political participation, decision-making, and peacebuilding.
  • involve men in supporting women’s economic empowerment and addressing negative masculinity.
  • support LGBTQI communities and other survivors to access safe spaces, justice, and the right to sexual reproductive health rights.
  • establishing girls’ and boys’ clubs in school to address SRHR and support women and girls on SRHR.
  • support women and youth with HIV/AIDS and raise awareness of the disease.
  • network with key stakeholders such as UN Women, Human Right Defender Networks and Government of Liberia.
  • coordinate with the LINGO forum.
Gemama is a women leader and Community Rights Committee Head of Watco Camp Community. Photo: Wolobah Sali

Our partner organisations in Liberia

  • Humanity Care Liberia (HCL)
  • Liberia National Rural Women Structure (LNRWS)
  • Liberian Women Empowerment Network (LIWEN)
  • Organization for Women and Children (ORWOCH)
  • Rural Women and Girls’ Right Foundation (RWGRF)
  • Sisters 4 Sisters
  • West Point Women for Health and Development Organization (WPWHDO)
  • Women for Self-Employment (WE4SELF)
  • Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL)
  • Women Rights Watch (WORIWA)
  • Women in Agriculture for Sustainable Development (WASUDEV)

News from our partners in Liberia

Last updated or reviewed 6 March 2024