Liberia, Aug. 14 -- ZWEDRU, Grand Gedeh County - Women fill fewer than one in 13 uniforms in the Armed Forces of Liberia. The AFL went to Grand Gedeh County this week to ask young women to change that.

A military delegation told students in Zwedru that the Armed Forces needs to expand its ranks and wants qualified young Liberians, particularly women, to apply. The delegation described the AFL as a professional institution offering personal and career development, and said it values professionalism, dignity, commitment, willingness to serve, discipline and leadership.

Women hold 7.5 percent of positions in the force, including 11.5 percent of officer slots and 7.1 percent of enlisted slots, according to a Defense Ministry project documen...