In depth

Indepth

UNDP’s Democratic Governance work in Liberia, seeks to strengthen good governance, build democratic society and the rule of law following 14-years of civil conflict in which Liberia’s political, social, and economic structures and systems collapsed. UNDP supports the Government of Liberia, among others, to re-establish civil authority and the rule of law across the country, improving the efficiency and accountability of the public sector as well as reduce corrupt practices in public service. UNDP supports a more accountable and efficient government, together with a public sector that delivers quality services, while advocating for reforms and institutional capacity development in Liberia.

A broad view of governance

The Governance and Public Institution Programme takes a broad view of governance to constitute the mechanisms, processes, relations, and institutions through which citizens and groups articulate their interests, exercise their rights, mediate their differences and build consensus on shared interests.

Its utility rests in the extent to which it assists the government and citizens realize their development aspirations through state institutions that work; a civil service that pays a decent wage; a justice system that operates independently; a legislature that makes laws and controls executive power, and a political governance that allows citizens citizens to exercise their voting rights.

Specific elements reinforce the basic foundations of governance while targeting a substantially expanded role for women in each area of engagement. In particular, their participation in positions of authority and decision-making at the national and local levels. These include: (a) continued development of capabilities (knowledge, skills, systems, procedures, targeted actions) for managing the electoral cycle, with emphasis on elections management, civic and voter education, gender equality, participation of women and youth, prevention of violence and monitoring of electoral processes;

Additionally, implementation of the Legislature’s Modernization Plan aimed at improving core functions of oversight and outreach, based on effective internal structures, systems, skills and resources;  transparent and accountable management of public resources, specifically follow-through on the agreed national anti-corruption policy and strategy, based on a more capable and empowered LACC and GAC, as well as development of the media, women’s groups and other civil society organizations to perform a “watchdog” role, focusing on their ability to design, fund and manage monitoring and analytic work and advocacy and social mobilization initiatives; and support to an implementation road map for decentralization.