The Forum for African Women Educationalists (FAWE) Liberia Chapter has emphasized the need for increased national investment in girls' education, protection, and empowerment. According to FAWE Liberia, Liberia cannot achieve sustainable development while half its youth population faces systemic barriers. This call was made during the local observance of the International Day of the Girl Child in Kakata, Margibi County, under the theme: "Ending Child Marriage in Liberia: Investing in Her Rights and Potential."
The event brought together students, school administrators, civil society leaders, and government representatives to address challenges affecting young women and explore avenues for expanding access to education, technical skills, and leadership roles. Madam Vanesa Johnson-Freeman, Program Coordinator at FAWE Liberia, stressed that the celebration aimed to encourage young women to recognize and maximize their full potential. She urged schoolgirls to pursue Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) and Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) to shatter gender stereotypes.
Madam Freeman emphasized that girls and women possess the same intellectual potential as their male counterparts and that encouraging female participation in traditionally male-dominated trades is vital for national growth and economic self-reliance. Mrs. Lorpu Darku, a TVET instructor at the Booker Washington Institute (BWI), challenged young women to dismantle long-held perceptions that technical fields belong exclusively to men. She noted that vocational skills provide a direct pathway to financial independence, employment, and entrepreneurship.
Madam Dorothy Q. Barcolleh, Chief Executive Officer of the Barcolleh Health Center in Kakata, encouraged participants to consider healthcare and nursing as vital professions of service and professional growth. She noted that building a robust healthcare workforce in Liberia relies heavily on empowering young women to acquire formal medical training. This diversification of career options is seen as crucial for the country's development.
The event also highlighted the issue of child marriage, with participants and stakeholders praising FAWE Liberia for decentralizing its awareness campaign to Margibi County. Attendees noted that the panel discussions provided critical enlightenment on human rights, reproductive health, and career planning. The discussions underscored the importance of protecting young women from early marriage and keeping them in classrooms.
FAWE Liberia concluded the observance by reiterating its mandate to hold government institutions, civil society partners, and community leaders accountable for creating a safe environment where girls are protected from early marriage and equipped to lead Liberia's future. The organization emphasized the need for collective action to address the systemic barriers faced by young women in Liberia.
The International Day of the Girl Child celebration in Kakata, Margibi County, demonstrates the commitment of FAWE Liberia and its partners to promoting girls' education and empowerment. By investing in girls' education and protecting their rights, Liberia can work towards sustainable development and a brighter future for its youth.
Key points
- FAWE Liberia calls for increased investment in girls' education to combat child marriage.
- The organization emphasizes the importance of STEM and TVET education for young women.
- The event highlights the need for collective action to protect young women from early marriage.
