Supported By Civ, Women Care Initiative Also Empowering Women
B: Gabriel M C Parker
TUBMANBURG, Liberia–The Women Care Initiative (WOCI), in collaboration with the Liberia Land Authority (LLA), local leadership, and support from Forum Civ, has successfully resolved longstanding land dispute in the western Bomi County.
The initiative is part of WOCI’s broader women empowerment mission to promote community development and gender equality in rural Liberia.
WOCI’s Project Coordinator, Cyrus Cooper emphasized that the resolution of land disputes is a critical part of the organization’s broader efforts to bring peace and stability to local communities.
He noted that with the support of the LLA and local leaders, WOCI played a key role in mediating the resolution of a longstanding dispute between the Jarwajeh and Basao communities, which had persisted for years.
“The settlement of land disputes is essential to maintaining peace and stability in Bomi County. Our work has helped these communities move forward and work together harmoniously,” said Cooper.
The resolution of the Jarwajeh-Basao dispute represents one of the many successes achieved by WOCI in the region. In addition to resolving this conflict, several other communities, including Seah Town and Jarwajeh, also benefited from the dispute settlement process, which has brought clarity and harmony to local land ownership issues.
Mr. Cooper expressed gratitude to Forum Civ for its financial and technical support, which he described as instrumental to the success of the project. “Without the support of Forum Civ and our local partners, this project would not have been as successful.
According him, their commitment to this cause has had a tremendous impact on the people of Bomi County.”
The project, which formally ended recently, is said to have produced overwhelmingly positive outcomes.
WOCI also helped empower women
In addition to resolving land disputes, WOCI is also said to have focused on empowering women through livelihood programs and social enterprise initiatives.
Officials of the women’s group said these programs have been instrumental in providing women with skills that have not only improved their economic opportunities but also their standing in the community.
Through training in soap making and village savings programs, women in Bomi County have gained valuable skills that have greatly improved their financial independence.
“WOCI has made us able to do things for ourselves. We are now able to make soap on our own,” said Jumama Coleman, a beneficiary from Johnson’s Farm Community.
The livelihood program reached over six communities in Bomi County, providing women with a platform to learn new skills, build savings groups, and enhance their economic opportunities. These efforts are part of WOCI’s broader goal of empowering women and promoting gender equality in rural Liberia.
Boakai Quaye, the Dean Elder of Jarwajeh Town, also expressed his gratitude to WOCI and its partners for their efforts in resolving the long-standing land dispute.
“For too long, this boundary misunderstanding has been a source of tension between us. Thanks to WOCI and their partners, it has finally been laid to rest,” Quaye said.
It is reported that many women in the region have already begun to reap the benefits of the livelihood and social enterprise programs. Several beneficiaries have started small businesses, improving their household incomes and gaining greater confidence in their roles as community leaders.
The initiative’s impact extends beyond just resolving land disputes and empowering women; it has fostered sustainable development that benefits entire communities.
Officials of the group say WOCI’s holistic approach to development has helped to build stronger, more resilient communities in Bomi County.
Project improved community relations
The project has also helped improve community relations, with WOCI serving as a key mediator between local stakeholders and authorities.
According to Cooper, this collaborative approach has been essential to the initiative’s success. “The support from local leadership and the community has been crucial. By working together, we can bring about real, lasting change,” he said.
Looking forward, WOCI says it plans to expand its programs across other counties in Liberia, aiming to continue addressing land disputes and empowering women through economic initiatives.
“Our work in Bomi County has shown that when communities come together, we can overcome even the most challenging issues,” said Cooper.
Community collaboration underscored
The success of WOCI’s land dispute settlement and women’s empowerment programs in Bomi County highlights the importance of community collaboration and the role of local leadership in creating lasting, positive change.
The initiative serves as a model for future development efforts in Liberia.
Through the continued support of the Liberia Land Authority, Forum Civ, and local leaders, WOCI hopes to extend its impact and further contribute to the development and empowerment of women and communities across Liberia.