A five‑year‑old girl in Todee District cries for her parents after witnessing the violence that killed her mother. With her father jailed and no government support, she and her siblings are left destitute, a stark reminder that when domestic violence destroys a family, innocent children pay the price. Joyclyn Wea reports in this social media…
Violence against women remains a pressing issue in Liberia, but a new generation of male influencers is stepping forward to challenge harmful norms. Through EU‑backed training programs, these young men are learning to rethink masculinity in the social media age and use their platforms to promote respect, equality, and positive change. Joyclyn wea reports in…
By Joyclyn Wea, gender correspondent with New Narratives Summary The video lasted less than two minutes. A young woman walking through Red Light Market in Monrovia was suddenly surrounded by a group of men who tore the clothes from her body. Her offense, they claimed, was, ironically, dressing indecently. Someone filmed the attack. Within hours, the…
By Joyclyn Wea, gender correspondent with New Narratives MISSION-THIRD, Montserrado County – Esther was 39 years old when she died in her friend’s arms here late last year. Family and neighbors say she had survived years of abuse by her husband. But no help ever came. Her husband is now detained and facing a murder…
Young Liberians have made history! A new Youth Gender-Based Violence Taskforce has been launched to fight sexual violence across all 15 counties. This bold step empowers young voices to report cases, raise awareness, and demand justice — proving that the future of Liberia is one where survivors are heard and protected. Joyclyn Wea reports in…
By Joyclyn Wea, gender correspondent with New Narratives Summary: When young Liberians marched through the streets of the capital in March demanding stronger action against rape and gender-based violence, many wondered whether the government would simply receive their petition and move on. Less than two months later, the Ministry of Gender has answered that question…
Former Liberian President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf says Liberia should be ashamed that women occupy only 11 of the 103 seats in the National Legislature — warning that the imbalance is slowing the country’s development and peacebuilding efforts. Women’s rights advocates welcomed her remarks, saying the low representation reflects the continued dominance of male political power…
Sweden’s exit from Liberia leaves a critical gap in support for girls’ sexual and reproductive health and rights. For years, Swedish funding empowered local organizations to mentor young women, provide sex education, and reduce teen pregnancy. Now, with this lifeline ending, rural communities risk losing access to vital programs that protect girls’ futures. Advocates are…
By Tetee Gebro and Joyclyn Wea with New Narratives Summary: Nearly a year after public anger forced the government to suspend the chaotic rollout of the national digital identification registration, Liberia is preparing to hire a private company to help restart the enrolment and operate the system. The system will digitize the data of the…
By Joyclyn Wea, gender correspondent with New Narratives Summary: S.D. COOPER ROAD, Paynesville – At a Valentine’s Day gathering earlier this year, a teenage girl stood before her peers. She described a boy in her community who had been giving her gifts and telling her she was the prettiest girl he had ever seen. She was…
Liberia’s House has taken a bold step by backing a 30% gender quota for candidates — but women’s groups warn the “best efforts” clause could let parties off the hook. True equality means enforceable laws, not optional promises. Joyclyn Wea reports in this social media Video. To read more about this story click this link:…
By Joyclyn Wea, gender correspondent with New Narratives Summary: Walk into Liberia’s Capitol Building during a legislative session, and the gender imbalance is difficult to miss. In the 73-member House of Representatives, just eight lawmakers are women. In the Senate, women occupy just two of 30 seats. That reality is why many women’s rights advocates initially…
Three out of every four Liberians are under 35 — a powerful force for the nation’s future. At a recent UNDP youth dialogue in Monrovia, young entrepreneurs, artists, athletes, and innovators demanded not just encouragement but real tools: funding, mentorship, training, and opportunities. The UN has promised a new approach that listens first and acts…
By Joyclyn Wea, gender correspondent with New Narratives Summary: “If they are not feeling it, if you are not making a difference in what they do, then we are irrelevant.” That was the frank concession from Aliou Mamadou Dia, the United Nations Development Program’s resident representative in Liberia, to more than 50 young people —…
By Tetee Gebro, gender correspondent with New Narratives Summary: TODEE, Montserrado County — On a recent morning, the 57-year-old grandmother at the center of a rape case that has outraged anti-gender-based violence advocates, returned to the gold field where her life changed four months ago. Her body and mind have not recovered from what she said…
Liberian youth are calling for their turn in leadership. In a dialogue with former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf and senior leaders, they heard powerful lessons of sacrifice and resilience, while demanding genuine inclusion in shaping the nation’s future. With 75% of Liberians under 35, bridging the generational divide is urgent. Joyclyn Wea reports in this…
By Joyclyn Wea and Tetee Gebro, gender correspondents with New Narratives Summary: Young Liberians sat face-to-face with some of the country’s most powerful political figures last week in Monrovia, listening to stories of prison, exile, and hard-won leadership. But as they absorbed lessons from the past, many also made a quiet demand: they want a…
Liberia has restricted misoprostol sales to prescriptions only, citing safety concerns. But women’s groups warn that tighter controls could worsen maternal deaths in a country already facing one of the world’s highest rates. Over 38,000 pregnancies ended in abortion in 2021—most with serious complications. Joyclyn Wea reports in this social media Video. To read more…
Liberia is testing new ways for citizens to report corruption. One idea was simple: drop acomplaint in a locked box and walk away. But it didn’t work. The results show Liberians aretoo afraid to report corruption.Corruption watchdogs hope a new app will solve the problem. But, as with so many otherthings in Liberia, it needs…
Armed men have broken into the offices of Liberia’s leading organization investigating civil warcrimes. Activists say it’s the latest in a series of threats against victims, witnesses and investigatorslinked to efforts to bring perpetrators to justice. Human rights groups are urging the government to strengthen protection as Liberia moves closerto establishing a war crimes court….
By Joyclyn Wea, gender correspondent with New Narratives Summary: Liberian women’s health advocates have cautiously welcomed a government announcement that it is going to more closely regulate Misoprostol, a drug widely used to cause a medical abortion or to provide care for women facing life-threatening conditions during and after pregnancy. But they warn that the…
