By: Akoi M. Baysah, Jr.
As part of efforts to promote gender-sensitive programming,
the Rural Integrated Center for Community Empowerment (RICCE) has trained
Liberian partners of the Green Livelihoods Alliance (GLA) on key gender
concepts, including inclusion, equity, equality, and intersectionality.
With funding from the Green Livelihoods Alliance’s “Forests
for a Just Future” program through the Global Forest Coalition (GFC), RICCE
provides technical gender support to GLA’s partners in Liberia—namely the
Sustainable Development Institute (SDI), Community Rights Support Facility
(CRSF), and The Daylight.
Speaking at the close of the one-day intensive training held
on Thursday, May 8, 2025, RICCE Program Manager Renee N. Gibson said the
initiative aims to broaden the gender perspectives of partner organizations.
“Our role is to ensure these partners become more gender-aware as they engage
with communities, working to dismantle biases and barriers that promote
inequality and hinder women’s participation,” Madam Gibson explained.
She noted that societal roles assigned by culture and
tradition often lead to the marginalization of women and girls.
“This training helps participants understand how these
dynamics perpetuate exclusion and exploitation,” she added.
Also emphasizing that RICCE’s support through trainings and
the implementation of the Organizational Gender Action Plan (OGAP) is already
yielding results. “We are grateful for the impact so far. OGAP is helping
partners institutionalize gender-sensitive approaches.”
On the response from participants, Madam Gibson noted the
positive feedback and high level of engagement as indicators of the training’s
effectiveness.
The session, attended by both male and female
representatives of implementing partners, aimed to integrate gender
perspectives into environmental and development initiatives.
Facilitated by Renee N. Gibson and Dayugar Johnson—both
experienced champions of gender equity—the training highlighted the importance
of gender analysis in sustainable development.
Mr. Johnson stressed that recognizing the distinct roles of
men and women in rural contexts is essential to designing effective programs.
He underscored the need for applying gender lenses across all project
activities.
The interactive session covered socio-economic factors
influencing gender dynamics in Liberia. Participants shared personal
experiences that illustrated challenges women face in accessing resources,
participating in decision-making, and benefiting from environmental
initiatives.
Practical tools and frameworks were introduced to help
participants assess and integrate gender considerations into their work.
Through hands-on exercises, they practiced gender analysis, applied
gender-sensitive indicators, and engaged in participatory planning to ensure
women’s needs are prioritized.
Facilitators also
shared success stories where gender-sensitive approaches resulted in more
inclusive and resilient community outcomes.
Reflecting on the session, Esther Lanford, a participant
representing RICCE, said, “The training helped me understand the difference
between equality and equity. I now have a clearer grasp of gender and
intersectionality.”
Olympas Jackley from CRSF added, “I pray what we learned
here today will make a lasting impact. It was insightful, and we are ready to
put it into practice.”
Titus Zeogar, also of CRSF, shared a similar sentiment:
“Today, I truly understood intersectionality, and I’m committed to applying it
in the field.”
The participants left the training energized and equipped
with practical tools to implement gender-sensitive programming. They envision a
future where men and women work together to ensure Liberia’s forests are
sustainably managed for generations to come.
