The Women’s Department of the Liberia Football Association (LFA) on March 5 hosted an inspiring Empowerment Series at the Blue Field in Central Monrovia to celebrate International Women’s Day, creating a platform for dialogue, inspiration, and renewed commitment to the advancement of women’s football in Liberia.
Held under the theme “Give to Gain,” the event brought together football stakeholders, former and active female players, and gender advocates who reflected on the progress made in the women’s game while exploring ways to overcome persistent challenges affecting its development.
Addressing participants, Jodie Reid-Seton, Third Vice President of the LFA, described International Women’s Day as a crucial moment to assess achievements and push for greater equality in football.
“International Women’s Day provides an opportunity to highlight both the progress and challenges in women’s football. While initiatives such as the FIFA Empowerment Program and competitions like the FIFA Women’s World Cup show the growth of the women’s game globally, women still face inequality in opportunities, pay, and resources,” Reid-Seton said.
Also speaking at the forum, Laura Golakeh, Deputy Minister of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection of Liberia, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to empowering women through sports.
“Sports help build discipline, confidence, and resilience among young women. We remain committed to advocating for women’s empowerment in sports and ensuring they receive the support needed to succeed,” Golakeh noted.
During an engaging panel discussion, Roseline Konneh, a member of the FIFA Women’s Football Committee, urged young women to equip themselves with education, confidence, and leadership skills in order to rise within the football industry.
“Women must prepare themselves, build confidence, and aim for leadership roles rather than settling for limited opportunities,” Konneh emphasized.
Meanwhile, Yemi Falayajo, Deputy Country Representative of UN Women in Liberia, highlighted the broader impact of investing in women’s football, noting that it plays a key role in promoting gender equality and national development.
She pointed to the achievements of Fatma Samoura, former Secretary General of FIFA, as a strong example of women’s leadership on the global stage.
The discussion also featured contributions from Seba Brown, former Executive Member of the LFA; Massa Matu Kromah of the Association of Liberian Construction Contractors; and Peterlyn Jah of the International Law Group.
The Empowerment program forms part of the LFA Women’s Department’s ongoing efforts to strengthen inclusion, leadership, and sustainable growth in women’s football across Liberia, while inspiring the next generation of female leaders in the sport.
