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The University of Liberia, through the Office of Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (OGEWE), celebrated International Women’s Day (IWD), issuing an official commitment assuring all women at the UL of equal opportunities to learn, to work, and to lead.
The OGEWE’s commitment was made during a special IWD program that attracted more than 200 women. The program was organized in collaboration with the UL 75th Anniversary Steering Committee and was held at Fendall on March 9, 2026, under the theme “Give to Gain: Empowering Women, Transforming Liberia.”
“This moment gives us an opportunity not only to celebrate how far we have come, but also to commit ourselves to making sure women have equal opportunities to learn, work, and lead at this university,” OGEWE’s Director, Janet Y. Lolemeh.
The theme highlights the goal of advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality through higher education and creating lasting change in society with women and men working together.
UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan established OGEWE in July 2025 and appointed Janet Y. Lolemeh as its first director to handle all women’s concerns and to promote gender equality on the campuses of the UL. The IWD program was the office’s first major event.
OGEWE has three priority areas under its programs. They include addressing Gender Parity, Supporting women to succeed, and ensuring safety and accountability.
Gender Parity
OGEWE will collect and analyze gender data to inform UL authorities about whether women are enrolling, graduating, and advancing in their careers at the same rate as their male counterparts.
OGEWE believes that high women representation at the UL encourages different perspective and experiences in teaching, learning and research.
Supporting Women:
OGEWE encourages and supports women to pursue studies in their other fields where they are underrepresented, especially in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). According to OGEWE, STEM plays an important role in national development, and it is imperative that women have opportunities to participate and lead in it.
Safety and Accountability
Because the UL is also committed to addressing sexual and gender-based violence, including sexual exploitation and abuse, OGEWE will strengthen policies and reporting systems so that students and staff can report problems and receive help when needed.
Specific roles of the OGEWE include transforming the commitment made into programs, policies, and activities that support women.
OGEWE will achieve these goals by working with colleges, departments, and university leadership to ensure gender issues are mainstreamed in teaching, recruitment, student support, and policies.
Meanwhile, a panel discussion of four women panelists was held on the topic “Give to Gain: Empowering Women, Transforming Liberia.” The panelists were Tenneh J. Nelson, CEO, Crown Group of Companies; Mildred Dean, CEO/Founder, International Institute; Dorcas Wenneh, Lecturer, Public Health; and Felecia J.W. Dorbor, Counselor, Student Affairs. The Dean of the Louis Arthur Grimes School of Law, Cllr. Dr. Niveda Cindy Ricks-Onuoha moderated the discussion.
Delivering the keynote address, UL President Dr. Layli Maparyan welcomed the establishment of the OGEWE, which she considers an important unit for addressing gender issues at the UL.
“Since the day I arrived at UL, gender has been one of my top priorities. In my scholarly life, for over three decades, women and women’s perspectives on social change have been at the center of my work,” Dr. Maparyan indicated.
She however believes that the UL needs to improve gender-wise. Dr. Maparyan citing her personal observations and experiences she has had working with the institution.
“For starters, we need more gender equality by the numbers. Among students, males still outnumber females. Within the faculty, male faculty greatly outnumber female faculty, particularly the higher up you go in the academic ranking system. For the staff side, things are slightly more equal numerically, but I still observe women speaking up less in meetings and waiting for the men to finish before jumping in.”
Women from all of the campuses, and support from the UL Administration, attended the two events held at the Samuel Kayon Doe Sports Complex and the UL Fendall Campus on March 6 and 9, 2026, respectively. They were dressed in purple and white lappas to befit the celebration.
Dr. Maparyan, however, pledged her administration’s support to promoting gender at the UL.
IWD is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. This year’s theme is “Right, Justice Action for ALL Women and Girls.”
