Liberia hosts national forum on rural women's land rights

The Liberian Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has launched a three-day national forum in Buchanan, Grand Bassa County, to address the land rights and economic empowerment of rural women. Held ahead of Liberia’s National Women’s Day, the event is organized in partnership with ForumCIV, the National Rural Women Structure, and the National Alliance for Women Land Rights.

Under the theme “Celebrating Rural Women, Securing Land Rights, and Advancing Resilient Livelihoods,” the forum focuses on policy dialogue, access to justice, and productive land use. While the 2018 Land Rights Act recognizes customary land ownership, advocates note that securing these rights in practice remains a significant challenge for women.

Grand Bassa County Superintendent Karyou Johnson described rural women as the “backbone of Liberia,” noting their essential role in food security and national agricultural production. Johnson emphasized that land rights are a fundamental right rather than a favor and highlighted his administration's history of providing financial and agricultural assistance to women's groups.