
Monrovia, Liberia – Youth leaders and advocates gathered in Monrovia on Friday for a pivotal dialogue on empowering Liberia’s youth through inclusive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) policies. Hosted by the UNFPA Youth Coalition, the event aimed to amplify young voices and address systemic barriers impacting the sexual and reproductive health of Liberia’s youth.
In his opening remarks, Abraham A.B. Boimah, Chairman of the UNFPA Youth Coalition, underscored the importance of dialogue in shaping policies that meet young people’s diverse needs.
“Liberian youth are not just the leaders of tomorrow; they are the drivers of today’s change,” Boimah said. “This dialogue is an opportunity to amplify their voices, address the barriers they encounter, and create policies that truly reflect their needs and aspirations.”
The event comes at a critical time as Liberia faces persistent SRHR challenges, including high maternal mortality rates and the continued practice of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). Boimah highlighted the coalition’s efforts, citing initiatives such as the ICPD30 Global Youth Dialogue held in Benin, West African Adolescent Girls Summit, the
ICPD30 Global Dialogue on Demographic Diversity held in Bangladesh, the National Summit of the Future, Youth Sector Engagement on the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development which have significantly influenced SRHR policies across the nation.
Representatives from rural counties, including Grand Gedeh, Margibi, Bong, and Grand Bassa, shared firsthand accounts of the unmet SRHR needs in their communities. These insights emphasized the urgent need for equitable access to SRHR services, especially for marginalized groups.
The coalition called for the swift passage of the Revised Public Health Bill, which aims to address critical gaps in Liberia’s health sector and ensure no young person is left behind. Boimah also highlighted the need for continued advocacy to tackle pressing issues like FGM and early pregnancies, which disproportionately affect young women.
The dialogue was seen as a continuation of the work initiated by the Liberian Youth Voices for Accelerating the ICPD, a platform established by UNFPA to champion youth-led solutions to SRHR challenges. “Young people bring innovative ideas, resilience, and a clear understanding of the challenges they face,” Boimah said. “This coalition reflects a wide spectrum of perspectives and remains committed to shaping transformative policies and practices.”
For his part, UNFPA’s Deputy Country Representative, Leonard Kamugisha commended the youth for their leadership in organizing the dialogue. He highlighted UNFPA’s commitment to ensuring that every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is fulfilled.
“To realize their full potential, young people need the autonomy and ability to deal in a positive and responsible way with their sexuality, and the support, confidence and resources to thrive in secure and healthy relationships.” Kamugisha noted.
Participants expressed hope that the discussions would lead to actionable changes and stronger collaboration among stakeholders to improve SRHR access and outcomes for Liberia’s youth.
William Bearlar, a coalition member and Program Officer at Youth In Action for Health Promotion (YAHP), representing Grand Gedeh County, highlighted the disparities faced by rural communities. “In rural areas like Grand Gedeh, access to SRHR services is limited, leaving many young people without the resources or education they need to make informed decisions about their health,” Bearlar said.
Christian Queyou, a member of the coalition and President of the Adolescent Girls Advisory Panel at the Ministry of Gender, reinforced the importance of youth-led advocacy:
“Adolescent girls, especially those from rural areas, are often left out of critical decision-making processes. We must ensure that their voices are heard and their needs addressed,” Queyou said. “Our role as youth advocates is to ensure policies reflect the lived experiences of all young people, including adolescent girls who face unique challenges.”
Jonathan Yanzee, an official of the coalition and Executive Director of the Campaign for Human Rights and Development, emphasized the critical role of young people in driving policy reforms. “Our collective efforts must ensure that no young person is left behind. By prioritizing youth voices and creating inclusive policies, we can break the cycle of systemic barriers and pave the way for a healthier, more equitable future for all Liberians,” Yanzee stated.
The event concluded with a resounding call to action for all stakeholders to prioritize youth voices in decision-making processes and invest in policies that promote inclusive and equitable SRHR practices across the country.
