WLCL Takes Gender Governance Mission to India

CAPITOL HILL, Monrovia, August 12, 2026 — A delegation of the Women’s Legislative Caucus of Liberia (WLCL), in partnership with UN Women Liberia, has embarked on a South-South Peer Learning Mission to India aimed at strengthening women’s political leadership and gender-responsive governance.

The mission, which runs from August 10 to 16 in New Delhi, brings together 12 members of the Liberian Legislature, including nine members of the House of Representatives and three senators. They are accompanied by three WLCL Secretariat staff and a representative of UN Women Liberia.

The delegation, comprising both male and female lawmakers, is being hosted by UN Women India and will engage Indian counterparts on women’s political participation, gender-responsive governance and sustainable development.

The visit is being conducted under the project, “Women Legislators in Liberia: Promoting Voice, Leadership and Gender-Responsive Governance for Sustainable Development.”

The project is funded by the India, Brazil and South Africa (IBSA) Fund through the United Nations Office for South-South Cooperation (UNOSSC) and implemented by UN Women Liberia in partnership with the WLCL.

The mission marks the first South-South exchange under the IBSA-funded project.

During the visit, the Liberian delegation is expected to meet Indian parliamentarians, government officials, parliamentary institutions, civil society organizations, research institutions and women’s groups to exchange experiences and examine approaches used to strengthen women’s participation in governance and decision-making.

Discussions will focus on women’s political participation, gender-responsive budgeting, prevention of and response to violence against women, the care economy, women’s economic empowerment and strengthening women’s legislative leadership.

The delegation is also expected to visit India’s One Stop Centre, known as the Sakhi model, which provides support services for survivors of gender-based violence.

Other engagements include visits to women’s Self-Help Groups under India’s National Rural Livelihoods Mission, childcare initiatives under the Palna Scheme and women’s entrepreneurship programs.

WLCL Chairperson Ellen Attoh Wreh said lessons from the mission would help inform the Caucus’ work in Liberia, particularly in advancing women’s political participation, gender-responsive budgeting and legislative oversight.

She said the experience would also support efforts to strengthen responses to gender-based violence and expand economic opportunities for women and girls.

“The visit of the delegation of the Women’s Legislative Caucus of Liberia to India for South-South Peer Learning Mission is an expression of the strengthening partnership between our two countries and our shared commitment to inclusive development,” Wreh said.

The mission is expected to provide Liberian lawmakers with practical experiences that could be adapted to Liberia’s legislative and governance processes as the country seeks to increase women’s participation in political leadership and decision-making.