Claiming their space – Rural Women in Liberia Leading Change

Sustainable Development Institute (SDI):

In RiverCess County, Liberia, excitement fills the room as SDI-supported community members gather to share their experiences, challenges, and hopes for the future with a visiting Tenure Facility delegation. 

What begins as a meeting quickly becomes a powerful statement of change—a testament to the rising strength and leadership of women in land governance, made possible through the dedication of our partners SDI, FCI, Parley, and Landesa in Liberia. 

As members of the Community Land Development and Management Committees (CLDMC)— local governance bodies formed to manage and oversee the sustainable use, protection, and development of communal land —take their turn to speak, the conversation shifts to the 2018 Liberia Land Rights Act. A male participant confidently quotes a key provision, but it’s clear that he has misquoted it. The room fell silent for a moment, and the women exchanged knowing glances. For years, they’ve been conditioned to stay silent, their voices marginalised in discussions that concern land rights and governance. But not this time. 

One woman rises from her seat. Her voice is calm but firm as she corrects the statement. Without hesitation, the others follow her, adding their voices to reinforce the truth. Together, they make a statement that cannot be ignored: women are here, and their voices matter. They are no longer passive observers; they are active participants in shaping their communities’ futures. 

Madam Marie Gbodweh, Co-Chair of the Ziadue Clan CLDMC, proudly reflects on this change: “SDI taught us that we have equal rights in everything. If a man gets 25 acres of land, a woman, too, is entitled to 25 acres of land. We are no longer silent. We know our rights.” 

This moment in RiverCess County is emblematic of a much larger movement unfolding across Liberia— one that our partners have been working tirelessly on with communities and influencing since the passing of the Land Rights Act in 2018. For generations, land rights and decision-making in Liberia have been a man’s world. As Annie Golay, Saywein Clan Chief from Grand Bassa County, recalls: “The land business was a man’s business. Women sat outside the venues while men discussed and argued.” Their voices and invaluable knowledge were often overlooked. But that’s changing. 

Thanks to SDI’s unwavering presence—through legal education, grassroots training, and raising awareness—women in Liberia are beginning to find their voices in ways that once seemed impossible. They’re standing together, demanding equal treatment, and challenging a system that has long kept them in the shadows. The change they’re driving isn’t just about policy; it’s a shift in how land governance is understood and lived. 

The CLDMCs are not just supporting communities navigate land governance today—they are poised to be the future of land governance in Liberia, empowering women and ensuring long-term sustainability in how land is managed, protected, and developed. At the heart of this transformation is Wlayor S.C. Tipayson, a field facilitator who is helping rewrite the narrative. She organises spaces where women gain the knowledge and confidence to take ownership of their land and futures. Her work is about listening, engaging, and supporting women as they reclaim their rightful place in decision-making within spaces like CLDMCs. 

And in RiverCess, that journey is already well underway. Madam Cecelia Wahyon from Kpa Town, RiverCess County, reflects on just how far they’ve come “We no longer have to worry that our land will be taken when our husbands pass away. SDI taught us that we have equal rights. We are now on equal footing with men.” 

Foundation for Community Initiatives (FCI)

In FCI-supported Grand Bassa County, another milestone has been reached. Saywein Clan Chief Annie Golay had just led her community to secure nearly 20,000 hectares of land, marking a historic moment in their fight for customary rights. 

For Annie, this moment was deeply personal: “I have six children and ten grandchildren,” she said, gripping the deed tightly in her hands. “When I look at them and at this title, I feel so happy.”  More than just a piece of paper, the deed represents security, opportunity, and the promise that the land- passed down for generations- is now theirs to protect, nurture, and develop. 

This moment is part of a larger movement unfolding across Liberia. “Women have been the primary users of land, but when it came to ownership, they were denied,” says Loretta Alethea Pope Kai, Head of FCI and part of a traditional community herself. “Women would always shy away from the process because of the customary norms. But those norms are shifting. Women’s leadership is a must. We have been very intentional in promoting this.” 

Securing the land deed is an incredible achievement for FCI and the Saywein Clan, but the journey doesn’t stop here. The next crucial step is developing a community land use plan—a process that will ensure the land is managed sustainably and fairly for years to come. For Annie, this is where the true vision begins: “We will go back home, show the deed to everyone—men, women, and children—and plan together. Cassava, rice—this land is ours now.”

Her leadership is setting off a ripple effect. When one community secures a land title, it sparks inspiration in others, motivating them to begin navigating the six stages* required to secure a customary land deed. Catherine Williams, a Community Assembly Chairperson from Grand Bassa, reflects on the shift:

Her message to women in other communities is clear and resolute: “Call a meeting. Explain why our inclusion matters. This is for our children’s future.”  

Women are no longer just participants; they are now leading the charge. In Community Land Development and Management Committees (CLDMCs), which are central to land governance, women serve as treasurers, negotiators, and facilitators. As Loretta Alethea Pope Kai, Head of FCI, emphasises: “No decision will be made without the involvement of women.” 

Despite past and often violent disputes over land boundaries, communities are learning to resolve conflicts without the courts- coming together, negotiating, and putting their trust in FCI to facilitate the process. Unity, they have realised, is key to securing land rights. “This is a great first step. “By the end of 2025, our goal is for every community we work with to have secured their deeds.” 

A key driver of this progress is enabling communities to take the lead while FCI provides the necessary support (through Tenure Facility’s funding). “The flexibility of your funding is letting communities lead in mobilizing, facilitating, and testing if processes are working,” she explains. “More work is being done because of funding flexibility. We’re free to change approaches, make changes based on what we see on the ground with communities.” This adaptability is crucial in ensuring that land governance is shaped by the people it affects the most. 

As Grand Bassa celebrates this milestone, the movement grows stronger. 

 “If Grand Bassa achieved this, others can too. We are paving the way for more communities to secure their land rights.” Loretta’s words are not just a call to action—they’re a testament to the collective effort, perseverance, and vision of communities that are determined to build a future based on their vision and equality. 

Parley Liberia

Our journey next took us to Nimba County, one of the counties where Parley is making a significant impact.  

Communities from across the county – some traveling from nearby villages, others from remote areas near the border with Guinea – gathered for a meeting with the Tenure Facility delegation. 

“Tenure Facility supports community-led efforts like CLDMCs. What other areas should CLDMCs focus on? What do communities expect from you?” 

The question hung in the air, it invited reflection—not just from the CLDMC members, but from everyone present. Margaret Rugadya, Tenure Facility’s Africa Regional Coordinator, had posed it deliberately, opening the space for a conversation about the future and the responsibilities that come with it.

The room shifted. The question sparked energy that spread through the crowd. After a brief pause, they quickly organised themselves and stepped outside the meeting venue, diving into a real discussion about their future. Men and women spoke with equal space and conviction, driven by a shared purpose.

“Capacity building to strengthen skills and knowledge, mobility for outreach efforts, land use planning- because after all it is about managing land properly,” they emphasised.  

It was a raw, authentic moment. A glimpse into the grassroots leadership shaping the future of land governance in Liberia. CLDMCs showed how they are ready to lead, self-organise, and manage their land governance with foresight. 

Gregory Kitt, head of Parley, then asked: “If we provide what you’ve asked for, what actions would the CLDMC take in the communities? What challenges are you facing?” 

Once again, the CLDMC’s response was immediate, and voices overlapped with a sense of urgency: “Limited awareness, many community members still do not fully know their rights or the process to secure them. Capacity building is essential, and ongoing education and support are critical. We need more coordination meetings and tools to raise awareness and involve more people.” 

Annie Wehyee, Clan Chief of the Sehyi Clan, added: “We’re all born from one mother and one father.” Before, women were seen as men’s property, but now we are not. We are our own property.” For Annie, securing land rights isn’t just about legal ownership—it’s about opportunity for the entire community. 

“It means opportunity. It means peace,” she explained. Though her community has yet to receive its formal deed, she sees it as a spark that will ignite broader development: “Schools, scholarships for children, improvements for the entire community.” 

While Annie’s influence has taken her to global platforms like COP29, she remains deeply rooted in her community. She works closely with Parley to ensure smooth boundary harmonisation and to facilitate community negotiations. Her strength is quiet, but her commitment to her people is unwavering—every decision she makes is driven by a deep care for their present and future. 

Her journey is a powerful reminder of how far women have come and how much untapped potential emerges when they are trusted and equipped to lead. Women across Liberia are stepping into leadership roles, driving change, and reshaping their communities’ futures. 

But this transformation is not happening in isolation. It is the result of years of work by organisations and partners committed to turning the promise of the Land Rights Act into reality. Supporting Liberia’s rural communities is not just about land, it’s about honouring the wisdom and stewardship these communities have practiced for generations. It’s about investing in the people and places that have always cared for the earth and shaping a future grounded in their vision.  

Through the collective efforts of local communities and the women leading change across Liberia, the path forward is clear. The land is no longer a symbol of exclusion—it’s a symbol of opportunity, autonomy, and transformation. The seeds of change have been planted, and this is just the beginning.

* Six stages  

CSI: Awareness sessions, sketch maps, working at the clan level 

Step 1: Community Self-Identification   

Step 2: Governance structure: Community establishes governance by-laws and structures 

Assessment of the first two steps before moving on 

Step 3: Boundary harmonization, conduct community land identification and mapping 

Readiness survey  

Step 4: Confirmatory Survey- Liberia Land Authority verifies community boundaries through confirmatory surveys 

Step 5: LLA processes documents and maps for community statutory deed 

Step 6:Community Land Use Planning (PLUP) process