Liberia: Girls Call for Support, Protection

The 2024 West African Girls Summit has opened in Liberia, bringing together adolescent girls from Nigeria, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Guinea, and Ivory Coast, to advocate for their well-being, development, and protection against various threats. These young girls, at the opening of the event on Tuesday, March 26, courageously spoke out against predators, gender-based violence, and harmful traditional practices, emphasizing the need for their bodies to be respected and safeguarded.

In a powerful display of solidarity, the girls, through their impassioned speeches and artistic expressions at the event yesterday, emphasized that their bodies belong to them, and they deserve to be shielded from all forms of violence and abuse.

“We are girls and we need the maximum protection that our families, communities, and countries can give us so that we can strive and become the best we can be,” a representative from the Ivoirian delegation, who made the welcoming remarks at the summit, said. “Our bodies belong to us, so we need to be protected against gender-based violence and all other forms of violence against us.”

Education, nutrition, healthcare services, and skills training were highlighted as crucial resources that these girls require to achieve their full potential. Their collective goal is to ensure a safe and empowering environment where they can thrive and contribute to the progress of their nations and future generations.

“This is our time and we need all the resources and support that will help us reach our potential,” two representatives of the Ghanaian team said in a poem at the occasion.

The girls’ impassioned speeches and artistic expressions serve as a poignant reminder of the resilience and determination found in young women across West Africa.

Former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor, speaking on behalf of First Lady Kartumu Boakai, emphasized the importance of listening to and supporting the aspirations of young people, especially girls, in creating a secure environment for their growth and development.

Reading a speech on her behalf, Taylor said it is the collective responsibility of the countries of the West African region to listen to the voices of the young people, especially girls, support their aspirations, and work towards creating a safe and empowering environment where adolescent girls can thrive and fulfill their potential.

“I firmly believe that the vigor and potential of our adolescents and youth are the driving force behind a sustainable future for the world,” Taylor said. “Their well-being, education, and holistic development are critical to the advancement of any society and warrant unwavering protection and support against all threats that may impede their path to opportunity and success.”

It is no secret that the current Liberian and African democratic landscape shows unprecedented youthfulness. To illustrate these, nearly 60% of Liberia's population and the population of the African continent are under 25 years and those aged between 10-24 make up 36% of the citizens in the region.

“So this is a youthful generation,” Taylor noted. “But these young people across our region and Africa face numerous challenges, such as socio-economic barriers, teenage pregnancy, sexual and gender-based violence, teenage marriage, and harmful cultural practices, including female genital mutilation.”

Photo: Madam Jewel Howard Taylor and some of the participants:

All of the above are stark realities that adolescents and young people, particularly in Liberia and the wider sub-region, are confronted with.

Taylor underscored the necessity of investing in the well-being and development of young individuals to secure a sustainable future for the region.

“We must overcome these challenges and make our countries safe environments for young people to grow and to make strides,” she said. “I believe that adolescents who are given the tools to understand their identity, who have aspirations and so for a greater future, and the risks that have to be minimized so that they can achieve their greatest aspiration or those who want to sustain the greatest chance of surviving. We are responsible for ensuring that all our children survive, not some.”

She noted that the future of the region depends on investing in the well-being and development of these remarkable young individuals.

“We need a generation of healthy, educated, informed, transformed, and activated young people participating at all levels of the governance space,” Taylor said. “It is only that activation and involvement in all activities on which we can effectively combat the cycle of intergenerational poverty. And stand resilient in the face of both personal and societal change challenges.”

“Therefore, I want to commit that Liberia remains committed to policy innovations, program development, and the allocation of resources that support our young people in cultivating a nurturing environment for their growth and development,” she added.

The former VP hoped that the 2024 West African Adolescent Girls Summit would yield a policy framework that not only inspires but compels governments across our region to act decisively in favor of prioritizing education, health, and well-being in a space for innovation.

Meanwhile, the West Africa Adolescent Girls Summit, a trailblazing event that places adolescent girls at the forefront of discussions surrounding their rights and empowerment, aims to amplify adolescent voices and address key issues affecting their well-being and rights. With the participation of adolescent boys as allies in challenging gender stereotypes, the summit seeks to break barriers and foster positive change in West and Central Africa. It takes place from March 26–29, 2024.

The summit builds on the success and positive reception of the inaugural pilot event, held in 2022. With the technical support of Global Fund for Children and its local partners in West Africa, adolescent girls and boys aged 13–19 have led the event planning, setting the stage for a gathering that amplifies the voices of adolescents, who are often overlooked in decision-making spaces.

Adolescents are a significant demographic in West and Central Africa, constituting about a quarter of the population, and their numbers are projected to grow. As a group, adolescent girls face challenges that adolescent boys do not, including child marriage, early pregnancy, and harmful traditional practices. According to the World Bank, “investing in adolescent girls’ wellbeing, education, and empowerment is crucial for building human capital, fostering economic growth, and achieving sustainable development in Africa.”

With 200 adolescent girls and boys in attendance, along with government officials and various stakeholders from participating countries, key topics at the summit include adolescent mental health, climate change, sexual and reproductive health, child marriage, female genital cutting, human rights, education, peer pressure management, and drug abuse prevention.

The event provides a platform for adolescent girls to connect, share experiences, and advocate collectively for their rights, with the support of government officials and stakeholders from participating countries.