UN Women Liberia, in partnership with the UN Peacebuilding Fund, recently concluded a three-day training program aimed at enhancing digital advocacy and peacebuilding skills for over 13 youth and women-led organizations in Liberia. The training, held in Monrovia, brought together 26 young leaders from various organizations such as Konia, Peace Hut, Fish Market Peace Hut, and the Liberian National Students Union, among others.
The main focus of the training sessions was to equip participants with the necessary skills to leverage digital platforms, including social media, storytelling, and campaign planning, to strengthen civic engagement and peacebuilding efforts across Liberia. This initiative is part of the UN Peacebuilding Fund’s Youth Promotion Initiative, a two-year project aimed at promoting effective advocacy and peacebuilding through digital tools, jointly implemented by UN Women, UNFPA, and UNHCR.
Doris Sadaho, a consultant involved in facilitating the training, emphasized the importance of empowering grassroots organizations with digital skills. She highlighted the program’s emphasis on enhancing digital and advocacy skills, providing participants with the tools needed to amplify their impact. The training also included the provision of equipment such as computers, smartphones, cameras, and projectors to support the organizations in expanding their work.
Participants expressed their gratitude for the training, acknowledging its relevance in today’s increasingly digital world. Vangerline Sirleaf, Deputy Secretary for Gender at the Liberia National Students Union, praised the training for enabling them to craft content for social media and adapt their advocacy strategies to the digital age. Delcontee Walker, Gender Coordinator for FLY, emphasized the value of the training and the need for additional equipment to reach more young people across the country.
Mama Tanu, an elderly member of the Peace Hut woman from Lofa County, shared her experience of learning computer literacy and using an Android phone during the training. She expressed her gratitude for the newfound skills and plans to share them with women in her community. James Abraham Kiawo, an activist and volunteer with the National Union of Organizations for the Disabled, highlighted how the training helped him create social media content and build online communities to empower his community and enhance advocacy efforts.
John R. Dennis, the UN Peacebuilding Fund’s Program Coordinator, disclosed that the US$2 million allocated to various peacebuilding projects in Liberia includes the digital advocacy initiative. He emphasized the focus on empowering young people, peace huts, and women to enhance their advocacy skills amidst emerging challenges. The program, running for two years from 2024, will continue to support diverse initiatives across the country.
In conclusion, the collaboration between UN Women Liberia and the UN Peacebuilding Fund has successfully equipped local and national organizations in Liberia with essential digital advocacy and peacebuilding skills. The training program has not only empowered participants to leverage digital platforms for social change but has also provided them with the necessary tools and equipment to expand their work and reach more communities across the country. This initiative is a significant step towards fostering effective advocacy and peacebuilding efforts in Liberia, ultimately contributing to sustainable peace and development in the region.