-As beneficiaries hail the initiative
By Jerromie S. Walters
Margibi County – The Jewel Starfish Foundation in cordial partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and the Christian Association of the Blind (CAB) on December 10, 2024, launched a Comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health (SRH) Manual in Braille.
This momentous initiative was launched at the CAB’s compound in R2 Community, Margibi County, Liberia and it coincided with the observance of the 16 Days of Activism, concisely its climax. The endeavor comes as the first time a Sexual and Reproductive Health manual has been made accessible in Braille. This, the beneficiaries (visually impaired students say accentuates a commitment, especially from Jewel Starfish and its partners to inclusivity and empowerment for visually impaired individuals in Liberia.
Howard details the manual
Ms. Norwu Howard, Chairman of the Board of the Jewel Starfish Foundation emphasized the importance of the newly launched SRH manual, originally published by UNFPA, which has empowered countless young people with knowledge about their sexual and reproductive health rights. “For far too long, this vital resource has been out of reach for those in our visually impaired community. Today, that gap begins to close,” she declared.
She said the foundation affirms the rights of visually impaired youths to obtain information that directly impacts their lives and futures, by making the manual accessible in Braille. “Sexual and reproductive health is not a privilege; it is a right,” Howard asserted, highlighting the manual’s potential to empower visually impaired young people to make informed decisions about their health and advocate for their rights.
The SRH manual provides comprehensive guidance for policymakers, educators, healthcare professionals, and community leaders on delivering high-quality SRH services and education. Ms. Howard said the manual provides a human rights-based approach emphasizing health, education, and freedom from discrimination. With Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE), the material also provides Frameworks for culturally sensitive and age-appropriate sexuality education.
Moreover, it provides education to Essential SRH Services, including Access to family planning, maternal health, STI prevention, and support for survivors of gender-based violence. The manual also considers Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health (ASRH) as it focuses on addressing the SRH needs of adolescents.
Among other areas captured in the manual is Advocacy and Community Engagement: It provides Strategies for promoting SRH education and services. With Monitoring and Evaluation also being paramount, the material unveils tools for assessing the impact of SRH programs. It also encourages the integration of SRH services into national health strategies.
At the same time, Madam Howard praised the UNFPA for its longstanding efforts in prioritizing youth empowerment and sexual and reproductive health education in Liberia. “Your work has inspired many, and the Jewel Starfish Foundation is proud to collaborate with you on this transformative initiative,” he said. She stated. She credited the foundation’s founding by Her Excellency, former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, over 24 years ago for its ongoing mission to ensure that no one is left behind.
“The Jewel Starfish Foundation was founded on the principle of inclusion,” Howard explained, referencing the inspiring starfish parable that illustrates how small acts of kindness can lead to significant change. In closing, she urged attendees to remember that the launch of the manual is just the beginning. “This is a broader mission to create a Liberia where every citizen—able-bodied or differently abled, male or female, rural or urban—has access to the tools, knowledge, and opportunities they need to thrive.”
The Chairman of the Board of the Jewel Starfish Foundation further announced plans to train trainers who can disseminate the manual throughout blind communities in Liberia, calling on the trainers present to stand and be acknowledged for their contributions. She reiterated the foundation’s commitment to fostering an inclusive society. “Together, we are shaping a Liberia where everyone counts and everyone belongs,” she proclaimed.
“Empowering Through Inclusive Education”
Also at the occasion, Wilhelmina Toe, a 9th-grade visually impaired student of the Christian Association of the Blind (CAB) delivered the keynote address under the theme: “Empowering Through Inclusive Education.” “This moment transcends the unveiling of a manual; it embodies the dismantling of barriers and the fostering of inclusive, empowering, and dignified opportunities for individuals like myself and others living with disabilities,” Toe stated, and emphasized the importance of the manual in promoting access to essential knowledge.
Toe expressed her heartfelt gratitude to the Jewel Starfish Foundation for their unwavering commitment to uplifting marginalized communities, as well as to the CAB for their steadfast support and collaboration. “Together, we have paved the way for greater inclusivity, ensuring that individuals with visual impairments can access essential information and resources,” she noted.
Education, Toe asserted, is not merely a privilege but a fundamental right for all individuals, regardless of ability. She highlighted the systemic barriers that have historically limited access to quality education and information for people with disabilities. The newly launched CSE manual aims to address these disparities by providing critical knowledge about sexual and reproductive health, empowering visually impaired individuals to safeguard their well-being, and advocating for their rights.
Historically, discussions surrounding sexual and reproductive health have often excluded individuals with disabilities. “This resource changes that narrative,” Toe declared. “It grants us a voice and equips us with the knowledge necessary to make informed decisions about our health and future.”
The Jewel Starfish Foundation’s vision for a Liberia where every individual can realize their fullest potential was echoed throughout the event. Toe encouraged her fellow students with disabilities, reminding them that they are not alone in their journey. “This manual is for us—it is a significant step forward in ensuring no one is left behind in education or life,” she affirmed.
Toe called upon partners and stakeholders to remain steadfast in their support for inclusive initiatives, urging collective action to ensure that all children, regardless of ability, have access to quality education. She also encouraged families and communities to embrace inclusion as a shared responsibility, fostering a society where everyone’s unique abilities are celebrated.
Concluding her address, Toe left the audience with a message of hope and resilience, quoting Nelson Mandela: “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” She emphasized that individuals are not defined by the obstacles they face but by their determination and aspirations.
“Gap will begin to close”
Also speaking at the event on Tuesday, Nowai Dunbar of Sustainably Empowering for the Betterment of Africa (SEB) emphasized that this project is not merely about converting texts into another format; it represents a commitment to opening doors, breaking barriers, and ensuring that every student, regardless of their abilities, has an equal opportunity to succeed.
“For far too long, people with disabilities have been excluded and deprived of accessing information,” she remarked. “Today, with this revolutionary idea, that gap will begin to close.” Ms. Dunbar also expressed her gratitude to the Jewel StarFishFoundation for collaborating with SEB Consultancy on this important project, which aligns with the 16 Days of Activism and the International Day of the Girl Child.
She recognized the JSF team for their endorsement and professionalism throughout the process, highlighting the importance of their support in bringing this initiative to fruition. “This translation into braille sends a powerful message that inclusivity is not and should not be an afterthought but rather a priority,” Ms. Dunbar concluded. Ms. Dunbar expressed her honor and pleasure in introducing a project that embodies both innovation and compassion. “This idea has the potential to make a profound difference in the lives of many,” she stated.
In separate special remarks, the Christian Association of the Blind (CAB) Program Coordinator Jacob Joe, and the Women’s Chair, Mercy Gaigaie characterized the launch of the Comprehensive Sexual Education Manual in Braille as a substantial climacteric in the journey toward inclusivity in education at the institution and for all other visually impaired persons that might benefit from it.
The Foundation
The Jewel Starfish Foundation has been dedicated to empowering young people, particularly girls from marginalized communities, through education, mentorship, and advocacy. To date, it has provided scholarships to over 4,000 girls across Liberia and has extended its reach to young people in Ghana, Malawi, and Sierra Leone.
