By Tokpa Tarnue- tarnue82@gmail.com
Women in rural Liberia are not leaving themselves behind in an effort to advance their common good through the formation of None Governmental Organizations (NGOs) to achieve this objective.
One of such areas is Lofa County in northwestern Liberia, where a non- governmental organization under the banner, “Lofa Women for Progress” has been launched in capital, Voinjama.
The group, comprising of over one hundred members from the various districts, was established back in 2014 with the purpose of promoting unity as women by engaging in agricultural programs.
Giving an overview of the group during the launch ceremony at the Lofa County Community College Auditorium, the founder and executive director organization Madam Younger Sherman disclosed that their initiative is to ensure that Lofa can again regain her prewar status as the bread basket of Liberia.
She said since the formation of the group in 2014, they have undertaken several farming projects in the county which has helped them as women in contributing greatly to the growth of their individual families.
Madam Sherman praised Mr. John Selma owner of the John Selma Cooperative and Mr. Momo Cyrus the Chief Executive Officer of SEGAL for their initial support to the group and called on other well meaning Lofans and lawmakers of the county to provide them with more support in order for them to realize their dreams.
“If only we are fully supported, we will ensure to limit the importation of rice into Lofa by growing more food that could feed our county and country at large,” Madam Younger Sherman indicated.
Serving as chief launcher of the “Lofa Women for Progress” the chief executive officer of SEGAL Momo T. Cyrus lauded the Lofa Women for their commitment to uniting the people of Lofa through farming activities.
“Gone are the days when people depended on government to do all; and so going back to the soil is one key way to becoming self-sufficient as a county and country at large,” the SEGLA noted.
As his organization’s support to the women group the SEGAL boss pledged an amount of two hundred thousand Liberian dollars to the group to be paid in four instilments based on what he called performance reports by the organization.
The launching ceremony brought together several dignitaries including representatives from the offices of Vice President Dr. Juwal Howard Taylor and the office President Dr. George Weah.
The organization is this farming season cultivating closed to 200 acres of upland property for rice production.
Studies have shown that women are shaping the rural economy in developing countries- they contribute as farmers, laborers, and entrepreneurs.
Recent studies report by the World Farmers Organization (WFO) reveals that the majority of the world’s farmers are women and they cover a wide variety of roles. Yet, what is striking is that women face greater difficulties and constraints than their male counterparts with regards to land ownership, access to credit, markets, technology, seeds, water, information and education and other services.
These disparities must be corrected as it is estimated that women produce up to 80 percent of the world’s food.
The World Farmers Organization aims to promote the formation and strengthening of women producer organizations and ensure that women have a voice within mixed organizations.