Taking the Long View. Sustaining Community Wealth through Gender Sensitive Natural Resource Management

As the development of Liberia’s natural wealth intensifies, a coherent set of policies that address questions of persistent gender inequality, sustainable rural livelihoods and long-term security of access to natural resources is needed. The capacity of rural women to maintain the local food economy must be preserved and enhanced, as must their ability to make informed decisions regarding the sustainable exploitation of natural resources. Should these concerns not be effectively addressed, the country runs a high risk of witnessing a further deepening of gender and income inequalities and undermining its potential for sustainable development. There is a need to protect community lands through a gender sensitive land policy.