MONROVIA, Liberia — The Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL) has secured a new opportunity for Liberian women journalists to access training, scholarships and professional media exchanges in India, with the Indian Embassy opening 140 training slots allocated to Liberia for the 2026–27 period.
The opportunity was announced Wednesday following a courtesy meeting between a FeJAL delegation, headed by President Lisa T. Diasay, and India’s Ambassador to Liberia, Manoj Bihari Verma, at the Indian Embassy in Mamba Point, Monrovia.
The engagement is expected to create new avenues for professional development, skills building and international exposure for women journalists, particularly in emerging areas of journalism and media technology.
During the meeting, Diasay called for increased capacity-building opportunities for women journalists, identifying digital journalism, artificial intelligence, technology, newsroom leadership and professional exchanges as key areas where FeJAL members need greater exposure and training.
She urged the Indian Embassy to consider stronger collaboration with FeJAL to expand opportunities for women journalists and enhance their competitiveness in Liberia’s changing media landscape.
Ambassador Verma said the 140 training opportunities under India’s Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) program are open to qualified Liberians, including eligible women journalists.
He also encouraged members of FeJAL to explore scholarship opportunities offered through the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR), describing the initiatives as part of India’s broader commitment to human-capacity development in Liberia.
The meeting also focused on extending access to India-supported opportunities beyond Monrovia.
Diasay proposed that the Indian Embassy work more closely with FeJAL’s network of county-based journalists to improve reporters’ access to information about India-supported programs and projects in sectors including agriculture, health and education.
She said stronger engagement with journalists outside the capital would help improve independent development reporting, increase public understanding of India-Liberia relations and ensure that women journalists across Liberia benefit from emerging professional opportunities.
Ambassador Verma welcomed FeJAL’s proposal and said the embassy would use the association’s media network to share information about its programs, development activities and future opportunities.
He further assured the delegation that FeJAL would be kept informed about relevant training and exchange opportunities as they become available.
Diasay welcomed India’s continued support for Liberia’s human-resource development and reaffirmed FeJAL’s commitment to building strategic partnerships that promote professional growth, participation and leadership among women journalists.
The engagement marks a potential new chapter in FeJAL’s efforts to expand professional opportunities for women journalists through international partnerships and capacity-development initiatives.