Deputy Gender Minister Curtis V. Dorley Launches Liberia Care Snapshot Report 2026, Calls for Greater Investment in Care Economy
By: Melvin Flomo
MONROVIA, Liberia – Deputy Minister for Research, Policy and Planning at the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Curtis V. Dorley, on Thursday officially launched the Liberia Care Snapshot Report 2026, describing it as a landmark initiative that will strengthen evidence-based policymaking, promote gender equality, and support inclusive economic growth.
Speaking at a high-level event hosted by the United Nations in Monrovia, Hon. Dorley said the report sheds light on the significant burden of unpaid care work in Liberia, most of which is carried out by women and girls. He stressed that recognizing and investing in the care economy is essential to achieving sustainable national development.
According to the report, women in Liberia perform 2.1 times more unpaid care work than men, a disparity that continues to limit women’s participation in the formal economy. Hon. Dorley said reducing this gap through targeted investments would enhance women’s economic empowerment while contributing to the country’s overall growth and prosperity.
He noted that the Liberia Care Snapshot Report 2026 serves as a practical guide for government institutions, development partners, the private sector, and civil society organizations to strengthen care systems, expand social protection programs, and create opportunities that improve the well-being of women, families, and vulnerable communities.
The Deputy Minister further called for increased investment in childcare services, care infrastructure, comprehensive social protection, and family-friendly workplace policies. He emphasized that care should not be viewed as a social expense but as a strategic investment capable of driving economic productivity, reducing inequality, and building a more resilient Liberia.
Hon. Dorley reaffirmed the Ministry of Gender’s commitment to working with stakeholders to implement the report’s recommendations and advance policies that recognize, reduce, and redistribute unpaid care work for the benefit of all Liberians.
