By T. Ezekiel Geeplay
MONROVIA, May 20 (LINA) – The Ministry of Health (MOH), through its Family Health Division, has praised the Initiative for Women and Youth Empowerment (IWYE) for its dedicated advocacy aimed at increasing national budgetary support for family planning and sexual reproductive health programs in Liberia.
The commendation came during a one-day budget-tracking workshop held Monday, May 19, 2025, in Monrovia.
Organized by IWYE, the event sought to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations (CSOs) in budget preparation, allotment, and tracking processes to advocate more effectively for increased Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) funding.
Speaking at the event, Sametta D. George, Family Planning Coordinator and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR) Education Expert at the Ministry of Health, applauded IWYE’s efforts, affirming the Ministry’s readiness to respond to calls for enhanced support.
“Health is wealth, and the Ministry remains committed to ensuring Liberians, especially women and adolescents have access to quality sexual and reproductive health services,” Madam George stated. “We appreciate your consistent engagement, and your leadership is both impactful and commendable.”
She further emphasized the importance of adolescent decision-making in shaping their futures, cautioning against unplanned pregnancies and urging girls and women to be mindful and informed when seeking reproductive health services, including contraceptives.
Madam George also encouraged workshop participants to ask relevant and informed questions during their engagement with Ministry officials, stressing that knowing where and how to access information is key to effective advocacy.
Also speaking at the event, IWYE Program Officer Marx Ledlum expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health and the Government of Liberia for their continued partnership and support in promoting SRHR initiatives.
He hailed the Boakai-led administration for its progressive stance on youth empowerment, particularly its commitment to allocating two percent of the national budget to support family planning services.
“This is a milestone achievement,” Ledlum said, adding, “we are grateful to amplify change for funding our advocacy work. This progress reflects years of dedication and collective action toward improving reproductive health outcomes in Liberia.”
He called on local CSOs and implementing partners to intensify their efforts in addressing teenage pregnancy, a persistent challenge hindering young girls from achieving their educational goals.
“Across Liberia, many adolescent girls are still unaware of or unable to access contraceptives. As a result, teenage pregnancy rates remain high, often forcing young girls into unsafe and life-threatening situations,” he noted.
Ledlum stressed that increasing public awareness and access to family planning services is not just about preventing pregnancies – it’s about protecting lives and empowering girls to make informed choices about their futures.
The Initiative for Women and Youth Empowerment (IWYE), formerly known as Girls for Literacy Inc., is a non-governmental, not-for-profit organization established in 2015. IWYE focuses on empowering women, youth, and girls through vocational training, health education, and advocacy programs. The organization is legally registered with the Government of Liberia and continues to play a vital role in community health and development initiatives.
