MONROVIA – About two hundred persons including conference delegates from across Liberia, the United States of America, and Canada are expected to converge in the City of Gbarnga, Bong County for a two-day women and youth conference under the theme “Strengthening Women And Youth Positions For Collective Action In Fostering Peace And Development At Local And National Levels In Liberia.”
The women and youth conference as well as the launch of the Foundation being held in partnership with women and youth leaders, but directly under the supervision of B4P CODEFOUND, will commence on May 31 and end on June 2, 2023.
Those expected to attend the launch include Members of the Diplomatic Corps, the United Nations, representatives of the Liberian government, traditional leaders as well as civil society and community and faith-based groups and organizations.
Accordingly, Bong County is projected to be the principal point of discussion, yet other counties representatives such as Montserrado, Bomi, Lofa, Margibi, Nimba and Grand Bassa will be in attendance for the purpose of information sharing and future engagement with the Foundation.
When launched, the Foundation will be expected to begin full operations in Liberia. Additionally, the launch will lead to results including the formalization of what is provisionally being called the Liberian Women and Youth Cooperation for Peace and Development involving at least thirty women and youth organizations to be organized into thematic groups to foster collective action.
On the other hand, the Women and Youth Solidarity Fund (WYSF)) will be established and funds raised. The WYSF is a revolving fund aimed at promoting and encouraging local philanthropy and fundraising in supporting local initiatives to be led by women and youths. Meanwhile, the conference will lead to the development of an Action Agenda highlighting the needs, aspirations, and plans for women and youths in Bong County.
Said Agenda will be presented at the conference.
B4P CODEFOUND, considering its legal authorization for business within the borders of Liberia but also internationally, has taken time to gather and process crucial information, and to create some level of visibility as well as ensure partnership and most importantly, develop and adopt a 3-year strategic plan (2023-2026) to robustly join others in supporting interventions tackling issues that negatively affect women, girls, and youths’ socio-cultural, economic and political conditions.
The Foundation’s current progress and decision to host a women and youth conference, but also do an official launch is predicated upon the conduct of a 10-day community assessment done in December of 2021 as part of the Foundation’s ongoing Liberian Organization and Community Assessments (LOCA) aimed at assessing the situation of women regarding their conditions, needs, aspirations, community engagement initiatives and levels of support.
As a result of the 10-day assessment in Bong County, two hundred and eighty-five persons were engaged in ten communities, nine districts, and with twelve groups of women, youth, and community members.
The process consisted of desk research, focus group meetings, surveys, and individual meetings with key community actors.
Key findings validated by participants and other community leaders in February 2022 revealed the lack of clear direction for women beyond the project support, limited sustainability and support for women’s work; limited and/or no training opportunities for farmers and women business owners in the county, domestic violence, limited access to justice, markets, equipment, credits, and information amongst others.
B4P CODEFOUND, as an institution in its endeavor to empower women, girls and youth groups is calling on major stakeholders in Liberia and the Diaspora to join forces in advancing the Foundation’s cause to support grassroots innovation, cross country/county coalition and partnership building, social entrepreneurship, leadership development, education, agribusiness/business development, intergenerational engagements, conflict transformation, decentralization, sustainability, and the fight against drug trafficking and substance abuse, etc.
The Business for Peace Community Development Foundation also known as B4P CODEFOUND is a not-for-profit and tax-exempt organization registered in the United States of America and in Liberia.
Although being positioned as a global organization, it is Liberian inspired, led, and on a mission to increase and sustain the voice and agency of women and girls by building their capacities to access resources and tools for socio-political and economic justice, cohesion, and financial independence.
Following years of assessments, community engagements and a full year of strategic planning, the Foundation now prepares to jumpstart full activities with a huge focus on Liberia but also the United States of America.
Operations on the African continent will begin in Central Liberia-specifically in Bong County. Cross section of women and youth in Bong expected at the conference. Press Release
