By: Emmanuel M. Ballah
Gbarnga, Bong County – A three-day Youth Gender Mainstreaming Training of Trainers Workshop is currently underway in Gbarnga, uniting youth leaders from four counties to strengthen advocacy for gender equality and combat gender-based violence in Liberia.
Organized by the Young Men Christian Association (YMCA) Liberia, the workshop has brought together 20 youth council members from Bong, Nimba, Margibi, and Montserrado counties. The training is being held at the Gbarnga YMCA branch from Wednesday, July 30 to Friday, August 1, 2025.
The initiative is part of YMCA’s Civil Peace Service (CPS) program, with support from Bread for the World – Protestant Development Service. The training is designed to equip young leaders with critical skills and knowledge to lead gender-focused initiatives in their communities.
Participants are being trained on a broad range of topics, including: Foundations of gender and youth leadership, Gender stereotypes, identity, and expression, structural inequalities and gender integration in programs, advocacy, communication, and action planning and documenting and reporting gender-based violence
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Mr. Morris Kamara, Sr., Project Coordinator for YMCA’s Civil Peace Service, emphasized the central role of youth in promoting gender balance and addressing violence.
“The Youth Gender Mainstreaming activity is focused on strengthening the capacity of young people to become advocates for gender balance within their communities,” Kamara stated. “Given the increasing calls for gender equality and the fight against gender-based violence in Liberia, youth participation is more crucial than ever.”
He further encouraged participants to take the training seriously, noting that YMCA expects them to replicate the knowledge gained through outreach and training sessions with community leaders and their peers across the participating counties.
At the end of the workshop, participants will serve as gender equality ambassadors, tasked with leading local advocacy efforts and advancing inclusive practices.
YMCA Liberia continues to play a pivotal role in youth empowerment, gender equity, and peacebuilding efforts nationwide.
