25/05/2023
(B4P CODEFOUND) Gears up to Host its First Women and Youth
Conference and the Launching of the Foundation in Gbarnga, B**g
County.
Monrovia, Liberia May 29, 2023: 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, B**g 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, B**g 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 B**g 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
Foundations' 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 B**g 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 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 B**g County.
Cross section of women and youth in B**g expected at the conference.
Mrs. Lindora Howard Diawara, Founder and Executive Director.
PASI TV Liberia 🇱🇷
