NIMBA AND BONG COUNTIES — Liberia’s Ministry of Gender has begun reviewing women’s empowerment and livelihood projects across five counties, while students at the Victoria Tolbert dormitory in Gbalatuah, Bong County, say recent improvements have made their learning environment more supportive.
The Liberia Broadcasting System reported on October 27 and 29 that the ministry’s assessment tour covers the Liberia Women Empowerment Project, the Recovery of Economic Activities for Liberian Informal Sector Employment (REALISE), and Spotlight Initiative 2.0. The first phase is expected to include Nimba, Bong, Margibi, Grand Bassa and River Cess counties.
What the assessment is meant to measure
According to LBS, the ministry says the exercise is intended to examine implementation quality, identify operational challenges and assess livelihood activities, grant beneficiaries, income improvements and sustainability. Those measures are important: a project’s reach or the distribution of materials does not automatically show whether participants’ incomes have increased or whether the benefits will continue after external support ends.
In Gbanquoui Town, Nimba County, Paramount Chief James Karlay told LBS that more than 127 women, men and young people were benefiting from adult-literacy activities under Spotlight Initiative 2.0. He also said residents were anticipating opportunities in snail farming. The figure and anticipated livelihood activity are attributed to the local leader’s account; independent beneficiary records and income data were not included in the report.
Bong students describe changes at their dormitory
In a separate report dated October 29, LBS said adolescent girls at the Victoria Tolbert dormitory in Gbalatuah, Bong County, welcomed improvements made by the Ministry of Gender. Students identified solar-panel installation, renovated classrooms and rooms, and improved daily meals among the changes they had experienced.
The minister also assured students of continued support and said additional curriculum activities, including skills training, would be introduced. These are commitments to be followed up; the report does not provide a timetable, budget, maintenance plan or details of the proposed training courses.
The accountability test
HeartTalk Network will be watching for public results that go beyond visits and announcements. Useful evidence would include the number of active beneficiaries by county, the proportion completing training, changes in household income, the survival rate of small businesses, and the maintenance of facilities such as the Bong dormitory.
For the dormitory, students and families should be able to see how solar equipment, classrooms, sleeping areas, sanitation and meal services will be maintained. For livelihood projects, participants need transparent information about eligibility, grant amounts, market access and how complaints can be raised.
Read our Nimba County and Bong County archives, as well as our report on the Empower Her programme for women and girls with disabilities.
Sources
- Liberia Broadcasting System: Gender Ministry assessment tour in Nimba County, October 27, 2026
- Liberia Broadcasting System: Gender Ministry assessment tour across Liberia, October 29, 2026
- Liberia Broadcasting System: Victoria Tolbert dormitory students in Gbalatuah, October 29, 2026
HeartTalk Network — Speaking from the Heart.
Leave a Reply