GET INSPIRED BY READING OUR STORY
GET INSPIRED BY OUR STORY
Women & Youth Development International (WYDI) was established from a collective cry for change as a deep and persistent call from communities across Liberia where women and youth have long stood on the margins of opportunity, justice, and decision-making. Our inspiration comes from the countless women and girls we work with who face continued violence and injustice in silence, simply because they lack access to legal knowledge or support. One woman in a vulnerable community shared how she endured years of abuse without ever knowing she had the right to seek help. Her story, and the transformation she experienced after receiving support from WYDI motivates us to reach more women like her. In the aftermath of Liberia’s turbulent history, the scars left behind increasing poverty, inequality, and broken systems, igniting the urgent need for a new organization to build a new future for women and youth, including other marginalized populations especially organizations of persons with disabilities (PWDs). An organization that does not just respond to challenges, but actively reshapes the narrative.
WYDI emerged as a response to this need, a movement led by grassroots change makers, community leaders, survivors, and advocates who refused to accept the status quo. What started as small dialogues in rural villages and urban neighborhoods soon evolved into a bold vision aimed at creating a platform that elevates the voices of women and youth, empowers them to lead, and addresses the deeply interconnected issues that hinder their growth and safety.
From the onset, WYDI was founded with a clear conviction that real development is inclusive, participatory, and grounded in human rights. We early recognized that economic disenfranchisement, gender-based violence, food insecurity, and limited access to justice are not isolated problems but they are symptoms of a system that has long failed the most vulnerable populations (women and youth) of our society. And so, WYDI’s mission became not just to respond to these issues, but to confront their root causes through holistic, rights-based, and community-driven approaches.
Our six strategic pillars were shaped by the realities we encountered on the ground and the solutions co-created with those we serve:
- Economic Empowerment by breaking the cycles of poverty and dependency through skills training, entrepreneurship, and financial inclusion.
- Gender-Based Violence Prevention and Response by providing safe spaces, support systems, and legal recourse for survivors.
- Gender Equality and Women’s Rights by ensuring that women and girls have equal access to education, leadership, and protection under the law.
- Advocacy and Civic Engagement by inspiring active citizenship, amplifying grassroots voices, and influencing policies that affect everyday lives.
- Legal Justice and Human Rights by strengthening the rule of law, promoting accountability, and upholding the dignity of all individuals.
- Food Security and Sustainable Agriculture by combating hunger, empowering local farmers, and building climate-resilient communities.
WYDI’s strength lies in its people, youth who have turned their pain into purpose, women who have transformed their stories into leadership, and communities that have reclaimed their power. What sets us apart is our commitment to sustainability through education and empowerment. We do not just respond to problems, but we work to prevent them by equipping women and girls with the tools to understand their rights, speak out, and support one another. Today, WYDI is more than an organization, it is a movement for liberation, equity, and lasting impact.
As we continue to grow, we remain rooted in our founding belief that the future of Liberia depends on the full participation of its women and youth. Together, we are not only changing lives but we are building a new legacy of justice, opportunity, and hope. This is our story. This is WYDI.