For the most part, the Liberian society has been largely patriarchal. Men are assigned roles that allow them to become domineering leaving their women with little or no decision-making power. But the Girls for Change Organization (GFC), a women-led nongovernmental organization through its “Enough Project” is determined to change this negative gender norm.
“Before, I would never allow my wife to bring income to our home. I believed that allowing her to do so would make her ‘measure arms’ (compete) with me”, said Emmanuel Togar Ajavi, a resident of Gbengbar Town, in Montserrado County. Emmanuel eventually backpedaled on his initial belief after attending a training session about gender norms and roles organized by the GFC. “The training helped me understand that in the home, both the man and woman have roles to play in supporting their home,” he said.
The Enough Project is being supported by the European Union (EU) OXFAM and the Foundation for Community Initiatives (FCI). Under the gender norms and role sensitization component of project activities, the GFC has supported 10 collective actions (family- and community-led actions) targeting harmful social and gender norms. To begin with, a community dialogue was held in five targeted communities in Montserrado and Margibi counties with the purpose of establishing community partnerships with stakeholders and existing structures to inform them about the project and their role as a community in ensuring the project meets its goal of ending GBV.
At the end of the dialogue, community members were provided a better understanding of the Enough Project and their roles in achieving the project goal as well as to change their perception about their roles. The dialogue has led to a change of perception of gender norms and roles for many including Musa Wrojay, who previously held the belief that house chores were the exclusive duty of his wife. “Now, I understand that the man too can help the woman wash the clothes and even cook for the home. Anything a woman can do, a man can also do”, he added.
Already, about 30 influential youth have been identified and grouped to serve as peer educators to drive positive change, conduct 3 workshops and awareness programs specifically targeting men and boys to promote understanding of the impact of harmful gender norms and encourage their active involvement in challenging and transforming these norms. The men and boys group has been established in three communities Gbengbar town in Montserrado, and Duazon and Harbel in Margibi county.