By: Edmund C. Gbarwee, Public Health Reporter, ceo@onenimbahouse.com, nimbad9tv2018@gmail.com, +231778070604

Gompa, Nimba County, Liberia: – Women Empowerment Forum Liberia (WEFL), one of the leading women’s civil society organizations in Liberia, has launched its two-year climate justice initiative with an inception and stakeholders’ workshop in Gompa, Nimba County. This initiative is supported by the African Climate Justice Movement and funded by the Global Fund for Women Champions.

The workshop, held in one of the project’s host counties, aimed to equip local stakeholders with the knowledge and tools needed to address the pressing issue of climate change. Speaking at the event, Madame Laura Bee Kiekpo, Founder and Executive Director of WEFL, emphasized the importance of understanding the causes and effects of climate change as it relates to the effect it has on women. She urged stakeholders to become active changemakers, driving the actions necessary to combat this global challenge.

Kingston G. David, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) County Inspector for Nimba County, welcomed the initiative, pledging the EPA’s support to enhance the project’s activities and help safeguard the community.

“The time is now to address climate actions with strategies that involve women as key actors and voices,” said Madame Kiekpo.

She however highlighted how climate change disproportionately affects women’s health, empowerment, security, and other social concerns.

WEFL’s project focuses on two counties in Liberia that are most affected by climate change: Nimba, with its East Nimba Reserve, which faces challenges from ongoing mining and logging activities, and Coastal Margibi, particularly Marshall Coastal City, which is plagued by severe coastal pollution and riverbank garbage waste that threatens food security and contributes to global warming.

The event had over 25 Stakeholders and women’s group representatives from Margibi and Nimba Counties respectively.

Women Empowerment Forum Liberia-WEFL is calling on all stakeholders, community dwellers, one and all to join this campaign because the effect of climate change has no border.

This initiative marks a significant step in empowering local communities, especially rural women, to take action against climate change and protect their environment for future generations.