Monrovia, April 24, 2025 – The Liberian government, through the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has commenced a vital two-day workshop to validate the country’s gender and climate change baseline assessment report.

The event is being held at the National University Climate Action Laboratory (NUCAL) and aims to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment within the agency.

This initiative is part of the EPA’s efforts to implement the newly developed EPA Gender Inclusive Policy, designed to dismantle systemic barriers and foster inclusive practices.

The policy serves as a foundational framework for promoting gender-responsive initiatives, ensuring that women and other marginalized communities are actively represented and empowered in environmental governance, leadership, and decision-making processes.

The validation workshop is crucial for refining and confirming the EPA’s Gender Inclusive Policy.

It provides a platform for stakeholders to engage in discussions, share input, and ensure that the policy aligns with the needs of its intended beneficiaries. Participants will have the opportunity to review the draft policy, offering feedback and recommendations to enhance its comprehensiveness and effectiveness in tackling gender disparities within the EPA.

The workshop will gather a diverse group of stakeholders, including government representatives from various line ministries and agencies, gender and development experts, civil society organizations focused on gender equality, international organizations involved in gender and cooperative development, as well as academics and researchers specializing in gender studies.

Anticipated methodologies for the workshop include a participatory approach to ensure all voices are heard, presentations on the overview of the EPA Gender Policy and its core components, plenary discussions on policy elements, and opportunities to suggest improvements. Participants will share key findings from group discussions, allowing for open debate and facilitating comprehensive feedback.

This workshop is part of a transformative pilot project aimed at building a regional women’s community of practice for effective climate action, supported by MRV Climate Action, Bilateral Support for Climate Action Implementation, and Climate Governance.

Upon validation, the policy will be aligned with national and international gender frameworks, incorporating stakeholder insights to further strengthen its objectives. The workshop not only seeks to gather input but also promotes collaboration among government entities, civil society organizations, gender experts, and international partners, fostering a cooperative environment for advancing gender equality.

Key objectives of the workshop include facilitating discussions among stakeholders to reach a consensus on the policy’s final form, ensuring clarity for implementation and monitoring, and effectively addressing gender disparities while promoting the rights and well-being of all genders. The workshop also emphasizes the importance of aligning with national gender policies and international commitments, such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

This collaborative effort marks a significant step towards empowering women and promoting gender equality in Liberia’s environmental sector.