-Liberia commemorates International Day of the Girl Child today
By Jerromie S. Walters
Monrovia, Liberia – The Ministry of Gender, Children, and Social Protection will today, October 11, 2024, join the global community in celebrating the International Day of the Girl Child. This year’s national observance will take place under the theme, “Empowering Every Girl in Liberia for a Better Future,” which aligns with the global theme, “Girls’ Vision for a Future.”
The International Day of the Girl Child serves as a platform to highlight the unique challenges faced by girls worldwide, including unequal access to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities. However, Liberia continues to scuffle with major challenges affecting its youth, particularly girls. Despite progress in various sectors since the end of the civil war in 2003, girls in Liberia still face substantial barriers to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities.
Unequal Access to Education:
Education is a fundamental right and a crucial driver of development. However, in Liberia, girls face considerable obstacles in accessing quality education. According to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), approximately 1.5 million children in Liberia are out of school, with girls representing a significant portion of this statistic.
The Global Partnership for Education reports that only 37% of girls complete primary education, and this number drops dramatically at the secondary level, where less than 20% of girls finish school. Factors contributing to this disparity include poverty, cultural norms that prioritize boys’ education, and early marriage. In rural areas, girls are often expected to assist with household chores, limiting their ability to attend school.
Healthcare Challenges:
Access to healthcare is another critical area where girls in Liberia face significant challenges. The World Health Organization (WHO) highlights that Liberia has one of the highest maternal mortality rates in the world, estimated at 557 deaths per 100,000 live births. This statistic underscores the dangers that young girls face, particularly those who become mothers at a young age.
Adolescent girls are particularly vulnerable to health risks, including sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and complications from early pregnancies. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) reports that one in four girls in Liberia will become pregnant before the age of 18, often as a result of limited access to reproductive health education and services. Furthermore, the stigma surrounding teenage pregnancy can lead to girls being ostracized from their communities and denied educational opportunities.
Economic Opportunities:
Economic empowerment is vital for the independence and well-being of girls and women. However, in Liberia, economic opportunities for girls are severely limited. According to the International Labour Organization (ILO), female labor force participation in Liberia is only about 40%, compared to 70% for males. This disparity is often due to a lack of access to vocational training and employment opportunities.
Moreover, the informal economy dominates Liberia’s job market, where girls often work in precarious conditions with little to no pay. The World Bank notes that women in Liberia earn, on average, only 60% of what men earn for similar work. This economic inequality not only affects the immediate financial stability of girls but also perpetuates cycles of poverty and dependence.
Meanwhile, Liberia’s Gender Minister has reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting the vision of every girl and ensured they are equipped with the resources and opportunities necessary to become agents of positive change in their communities. The celebration will include discussions, presentations, and exhibitions that showcase the achievements and potential of girls across various sectors in Liberia.
In a statement ahead of the commemoration, Gender Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie stressed that true empowerment requires fostering an environment where girls feel safe, respected, and free to pursue opportunities for growth and development. “When violence is prevalent, it erodes the fundamental rights of girls, limits their access to education and health services, and perpetuates cycles of inequality,” she noted.
Minister Horace-Kollie further emphasized that empowerment is not solely about providing opportunities but also about dismantling barriers such as gender-based violence. She cautioned that without addressing the violence disproportionately affecting girls, efforts to uplift them will remain incomplete, and society will continue to fail them.
At today’s event, Deputy Minister for Administration at the Ministry of State for Presidential Affairs, Atty. Cornelia Kruahwill deliver special remarks. She is expected to emphasize the importance of girls’ empowerment and the critical role society plays in creating opportunities for every girl to thrive. The celebration will gather key government officials, development partners, civil society organizations, members of the disabled community, and youth representatives, all reflecting on the progress made in promoting the rights and well-being of girls across Liberia.
The event will be hosted at the SKD Sports Complex Gymnasium in Paynesville, commencing with a parade from the ELWA junction to the SKD Sports Complex at 8:30 a.m. The official indoor program will kick off at 11:00 a.m., featuring prominent national leaders and youth advocates who will share their insights on how to shape a better future for girls in Liberia and beyond.
