By New Dawn

Copyright thenewdawnliberia

Liberian President Joseph N. Boakai, Sr., has unveiled an ambitious US$8.3 billion development package aimed at transforming lives through gender equality, youth empowerment, education, health care, and social development.

New York, September 23, 2025: Delivering his address at the Fourth World Conference on Women on the sidelines of the eightieth session of the UN General Assembly, President Boakai declared that Liberia is moving beyond pledges and symbolic commitments to practical, measurable action.

“Under my leadership, Liberia is determined to move from pledges to results,” President Boakai told world leaders, stressing that the 30th anniversary of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action should serve as “an urgent call to action, not a ceremonial occasion.”

The Liberian leader outlined bold steps embedded in the $8.3 billion Agenda for Inclusive Development, including:

Zero tolerance for gender-based violence, backed by awareness campaigns, public education, and dedicated budget lines.

Permanent ban on harmful cultural practices, moving beyond a temporary moratorium to enforceable national law.

Implementation of a National Action Plan for Young Women and Girls as a roadmap for empowerment, protection, and participation.

Citing an African proverb, “When spider webs unite, they can tie up a lion,” Boakai emphasized that when women are empowered, “entire nations thrive.”

President Boakai highlighted ongoing projects that are delivering tangible results:

The Liberia Women Empowerment Project is reaching 36,000 businesswomen across six counties, indirectly benefiting 260,000 Liberians through improved income and resilience.

The REALISE Project supports 53,650 vulnerable households, providing cash transfers to 16,000 families, most of whom are headed by women, and business assistance to 4,450 individuals, 80 percent of whom are women.

Programs such as Nurture, Empower, and Protect (NEP) and Accelerating Impact for Young Women have equipped nearly 25,000 adolescent girls and young women with health, entrepreneurship, and life skills. By 2031, more than 160,000 young women are expected to benefit.

With Liberia now serving a two-year term on the United Nations Security Council, President Boakai assured the global community that Liberia would champion the voices of women and youth within the Women, Youth, Peace, and Security agenda.

On behalf of Liberia, Boakai reaffirmed his government’s commitment to working with Africa and the global community to turn Beijing+30 into reality.

“What we are building today is not just for this generation, but for the next,” he concluded.