Published: March 21, 2025
MONROVIA – BudgIT Liberia successfully hosted a one-day youth dialogue on gender-based budgeting, engaging students in discussions aimed at empowering young voices in Liberia’s fiscal decision-making process.
In partnership with Medica Liberia and Book Before Boys, the event took place at G.W. Gibson High School in Monrovia, bringing together over 130 students and a project manager from Medica Liberia. As part of the initiative, 100 girls received sanitary pads.
Held in commemoration of International Women’s Day, the event underscored the importance of gender-responsive budgeting as a tool for addressing Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) and promoting equitable resource distribution.
Promoting Fiscal Transparency for Gender Equality
BudgIT Liberia, a civic tech organization dedicated to fiscal transparency, good governance, and citizen engagement, seeks to ensure that national budget allocations benefit all citizens equitably.
As the lead implementer of the dialogue, BudgIT Liberia’s Country Lead, Abraham Varney, educated students on the national budget’s role in tackling gender disparities and preventing SGBV in Liberia.
Varney stressed that without adequate government funding, the fight against SGBV remains ineffective. He called for increased budget allocations to support One-Stop Centers and safe homes that provide essential services for survivors across Liberia.
The Urgent Need for Budgetary Action Against SGBV
Liberia has witnessed a significant increase in SGBV cases in recent years:
- 2019 – 2,708 reported cases
- 2020 – 2,240 cases
- 2022 – 1,975 cases
- 2023 – 3,204 cases, with 1,279 from Montserrado County alone
Notably, 66.4% of cases involved rape, gang rape, and sodomy, with 65% of survivors being females under 18. This alarming trend underscores the urgent need for stronger interventions, as Liberia currently lacks adequate safe spaces for survivors, leaving many without essential support.
Varney emphasized that proper funding for One-Stop Centers would ensure survivors receive medical care, legal aid, psychosocial counseling, and shelter assistance.
He also highlighted the importance of gender-responsive budgeting, urging students to demand greater accountability in public spending, aligning with BudgIT’s mission to simplify budget data for civic action.
Calls for Government Action
Medica Liberia’s Project Manager, Fenny Louise Taylor Diggs, reiterated her organization’s commitment to providing safe spaces for SGBV survivors, including One-Stop Centers that offer comprehensive care.
However, she decried the limited availability of such facilities, emphasizing that many survivors remain vulnerable due to inadequate government investment. She urged the government to increase funding for survivor support systems, ensuring that each county has at least one fully operational safe home.
The Role of Education in Breaking Cycles of Abuse
Speaking on behalf of Book Before Boys, Mustapha Z. Sherman emphasized the role of education in breaking cycles of abuse and dependency. He encouraged female students to prioritize learning and career growth.
Additionally, he challenged young men to reject harmful gender norms and become advocates against SGBV and harassment.
A Collective Call for Reform
The dialogue concluded with a united demand for urgent policy reforms and budgetary commitments, including:
- Establishing and sustaining One-Stop Centers and safe homes across Liberia
- Expanding survivor support programs, including medical, legal, and counseling services
- Integrating gender-responsive budgeting into national financial policies
- Launching awareness campaigns to shift societal attitudes toward gender equality
BudgIT Liberia, Medica Liberia, and Book Before Boys reaffirmed their commitment to advocating for fiscal policies that promote gender equity and protect vulnerable groups.
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