Special Statement from CPS/BFTW Coordinator-Liberia on the Occasion Marking International Women’s Day 2026

As we mark International Women’s Day 2026, I extend my heartfelt appreciation to women across Liberia and around the world.

Women continue to hold families together, nurture communities, and contribute quietly but powerfully to peace and development. Their resilience, leadership, and sacrifices often go unnoticed, yet they remain the backbone of our society.

This year, women from partner organizations of the Civil Peace Service Network will join the national celebration organized by the Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection and its partners.

Their participation is more than symbolic; it is an opportunity to come together, share experiences, and raise their voices on issues that affect their lives and their children’s future.

While we celebrate progress in advancing women’s rights, we must also recognize that many women and children around the world continue to suffer from conflict and instability. In recent crises in the Middle East, including Gaza, reports from the United Nations show that women and children make up a significant proportion of those affected. These tragedies remind us that the struggle to protect human life, dignity, and peace remains urgent.

Here in Liberia, women face daily challenges that are often invisible. Parents are deeply concerned as more young people fall prey to drug addiction, despite the government’s recent efforts. Across our towns and cities, many women and children can be seen along busy roadsides selling small goods to make a living. Under the scorching sun and amid dangerous traffic, they risk their safety each day in an effort to provide food for their families and meet essential needs such as school fees.

Behind those tables of goods in our marketplaces are mothers carrying enormous responsibilities. Many also endure domestic violence, abandonment by partners, and the challenges of raising children alone, all while striving to provide for their families with little support.

On a personal note, I share this message while grieving the sudden loss of my beloved mother. Her passing has deepened my appreciation for the quiet strength of women – the love they freely give, the sacrifices they make, and the remarkable way they hold families together even in the most difficult times.

The CPS Network is grateful for the continued support of Bread for the World in Germany, whose partnership has strengthened our work in peacebuilding, human rights, and gender inclusion. Together, we help communities resolve conflicts peacefully, strengthen social cohesion, and encourage women to speak up for their rights.

Today, our message is simple but urgent: stand in solidarity with women everywhere. Women deserve safety, fairness, respect, and equal opportunities to build better lives for themselves and their children. If we truly value women, our communities must be places where women and girls are safe, respected, and supported to reach their full potential.

Only then can we build a Liberia and a world where dignity, equality, and hope are realities for every woman and every girl.

Happy International Women’s Day, dear women!