(Kakata, Margibi County)-The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) of Liberia has launched a three-day training to strengthen government actors’ capacity in developing gender-responsive and socially inclusive National Adaptation Plans (NAPs). The event began on Wednesday, December 11, 2024, at the NASSCORP Guesthouse in Kakata, Margibi County, and will conclude on Friday, December 13, 2024.

This initiative is supported by the NAP Global Network, the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) of Canada, and Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development. It brings together representatives from the EPA, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP), the Ministry of Agriculture, and the Forestry Development Authority (FDA), among others.

Welcoming participants, Margibi County Gender Coordinator of MoGCSP, Danilette D. Asilton, expressed her delight in hosting the event in Kakata. She urged attendees to take the training seriously, emphasizing its importance in equipping them to address the needs of women and marginalized groups in Liberia’s climate adaptation strategies.

“You are here to learn how to strengthen your ability to tackle issues affecting social groups in the fight against climate change,” she stated, encouraging participants to remain engaged throughout the sessions.

Grace Biah, Gender Coordinator of the EPA, spoke on behalf of the EPA Executive Director, Dr. Emmanuel Urey-Yarkpawolo, who could not attend due to other national commitments. She highlighted the significance of the training in filling existing gaps and supporting stakeholders in mainstreaming gender equality and social inclusion within NAPs.

“This training is a critical step toward better understanding and addressing the unique challenges faced by women and vulnerable groups in adapting to climate change,” Biah said.

Auré`lle Ceinos, Senior Policy Advisor for Gender Equality and Social Inclusion at the NAP Global Network-IISD, emphasized the importance of incorporating gender equality and social inclusion into climate adaptation processes.

“We are developing materials tailored to different contexts to ensure inclusivity in the NAP process. Liberia is the first country where these materials are being piloted,” Ceinos shared. She noted the severe impacts of climate change in Liberia, such as floods that disproportionately affect the poorest and most vulnerable populations.

Ceinos also praised Liberia’s NAP for recognizing the need to mainstream gender equality and social inclusion and reaffirmed the NAP Global Network’s commitment to working closely with the EPA.

J. Josiah N. Domah, Director of Social Protection at the MoGCSP, extended greetings from Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to promoting gender inclusivity, women’s rights, and addressing inequalities in climate adaptation.

“As men, we must stand alongside women in the fight for equality and inclusivity,” Domah stated, calling for collective efforts to advance gender-responsive strategies in all sectors.

The training seeks to enhance participants’ understanding of how to integrate gender equality and social inclusion into Liberia’s adaptation plans. By the end of the workshop, participants are expected to have a clearer roadmap for addressing the unique challenges faced by women and vulnerable groups in Liberia’s climate response.