By: Matthew H.Turry
The International Non- Governmental Organization, Actionaid Liberia, its implementing partners, Women groups from different diversities across the Country along with representatives from some line ministries and agencies, such as the Ministries of Gender, Children and Social Protection and Internal Affairs have called for the full implementation of the MAPUTO Protocol, aiming at securing a Comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive health Rights in Liberia.
Speaking during a one-day policy dialogue held in Monrovia on Thursday May 5, 2022, the Country Director of Action-Aid Liberia Mrs. Elizabeth Gbah Johnson said the goal of the project is to ensure women, Youths and marginalized groups thrive in healthy, safe, equitable and inclusive Communities in the Country.
She said, as Liberia is a signatory to the MAPUTO Declaration, pregnant Girls are now allowed to attend schools in Liberia, adding ,” accordingly, it’s significant to remove legal, regulatory and barriers limiting access to Sexual Reproductive Health (SRH) Communities , programs and services”..
“Government should develop and implement legal and policy framework that prevents child marriage, implement policies, strategies and plans to reduce unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions as well as programs that deal with Gender Based Violence”, she emphasized.
At the same time, the panelists called for the full implementation of eradicating Female genital mutilation (FGM) in the Country.
Meanwhile, the panelists noted the need for the Government and her International partners to update the health system by making available qualified medical Practitioners, Electricity and Ambulances to all health care centers in Liberia.
The Deputy Minister of Gender at the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection ALICE JOHNSON HOWARD acknowledged Actionaid Liberia and its implementing partners for launching an awareness campaign across the country to enable them educate targeted people of interest.
Madam Johnson maintained that the project will target children, adolescents and youths both in and out of school with appropriate ages and culturally sensitive communities
The MAPUTO Protocol is an African Charter Protocol on Human and Peoples’ Rights, Rights of Women in Africa, and an international human rights instrument established by the African Union that went into effect in 2005 which Liberia is a signatory to.
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