The Women NGOs Secretariat of Liberia (WONGOSOL) has launched an initiative to support women and girls who have survived female genital mutilation (FGM) and other forms of gender-based violence. The Liberia Fight FGM Project, implemented with support from the United Nations Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women, aims to provide dignity kits and livelihood assistance to survivors. The project has distributed over 600 dignity kits to FGM and gender-based violence survivors through one-stop centers across six counties.
The dignity kits are designed to provide practical assistance to survivors during periods of vulnerability. The packages include essential items such as toothpaste and toothbrushes, sanitary pads, towels, and clothing. Separate packages are being prepared for younger survivors, with additional items such as snacks and toys intended to make their experience at one-stop centers less distressing. According to WONGOSOL Executive Director Esther S. David Yango, the initiative is designed to address both the immediate needs of survivors and the economic challenges that can leave women vulnerable.
In addition to the dignity kits, the project has trained 365 women in vocational skills, business management, and Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) approaches. The beneficiaries include FGM practitioners, FGM survivors, single mothers, youth, and women leaders. Livelihood support will include materials for activities such as soap making, tailoring, and pastry and baking. The project team said the assistance is intended to help trained women put their skills into practice, establish or strengthen businesses, and build economic resilience after the project ends.
The project also links livelihood support to savings. Officials said beneficiaries trained in savings and loan approaches will be able to save from the income generated through their activities, helping them sustain their businesses beyond the life of the project. For women involved in agriculture, support will also include farm materials and tools. The program team cited women survivors involved in agriculture in Bong County as among those expected to receive agricultural support.
The Liberia Fight FGM Project is being implemented in 38 communities across Bomi, Bong, Gbarpolu, Grand Cape Mount, Margibi, and Montserrado Counties, in partnership with local organizations. The project has established 40 community coalitions comprising 600 members who have been trained to advocate for the protection of women and girls against harmful practices, including FGM and sexual and gender-based violence.
The coalitions are also supporting advocacy for the passage of the Women and Girls Protection Act. The implementing partners include Women Care Initiative (WOCI) in Bomi; Community Women Peace Initiative (CWPI) in Bong; Paramount Young Women Initiative (PAYWO) in Gbarpolu; Sister Hands Liberia (SHL) in Grand Cape Mount; Women Education and Development Organization of Liberia (WEDOL) in Margibi; and WEPS and INSURED in Montserrado.
The project, which began in October 2023, was initially scheduled to end in September 2026 but has been extended through February 28, 2027. For the women at the center of the intervention, the assistance is about more than receiving a package or business materials. It is about having something to meet a need today and, through skills and economic opportunities, something to build on tomorrow.
Key points
- WONGOSOL's initiative provides dignity kits and livelihood support to FGM survivors in Liberia.
- The project aims to address both the immediate needs of survivors and the economic challenges that can leave women vulnerable.
- The project has trained 365 women in vocational skills, business management, and VSLA approaches to support their economic empowerment.
