Published: June 22, 2026
By Blamo N. Toe
MONROVIA — Government ministries, development partners, United Nations agencies, and children gathered Friday to review progress on commitments made during the 2025 Day of the African Child observance, reflect on implementation challenges, and renew actions aimed at advancing the rights and well-being of Liberian children.
The review took place during the 2026 Day of the African Child Commitments Review Meeting held at the One UN House in Monrovia. Organized by UNICEF Liberia in collaboration with the Liberia Children’s Forum and the Government of Liberia, the meeting provided an opportunity for stakeholders to assess progress, share lessons learned and identify priorities for the year ahead.
The event brought together government institutions, UN agencies, development partners, and children to reaffirm their collective commitment to improving outcomes for children across Liberia.
This year’s Day of the African Child was commemorated under the theme, “Ensuring Universal Access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene for Every Child in Africa.” Observed annually on June 16, the day honors the children of Soweto, South Africa, who protested for quality education in 1976 and continues to serve as a platform to advance child rights across the continent.
Youth Ministry Reaffirms Commitments to Youth Development
Youth and Sports Minister Atty. Cornelia Kruah provided an update on two commitments made in 2025, noting that implementation had faced resource and operational challenges.
The commitments included integrating women’s football into the National County Sports Meet and collaborating with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to design sports programs for marginalized groups.
Kruah said women’s football was introduced but not sustained, while progress on the second commitment had been limited.
She recommitted the ministry to both goals and disclosed that a new National Sports Strategy is being developed to help transition children from high school sports into youth and competitive sports.
“Lack of budget remains the primary barrier to sustaining women’s football in the national county meet; the framework for transitioning women’s football exists, but the resource part remains a significant challenge; while the Ministry covers ages 15–35, the 15–18 children’s bracket is often overlooked in planning, except for adolescent girls’ programs,” Kruah said.
Education Ministry Highlights Progress for Learners
The Ministry of Education, represented by Assistant Minister for Student Personnel Services Sona T. Sesay, highlighted progress made toward strengthening child-centered education initiatives.
Sesay pointed to the Back-to-My-Classroom Campaign, launched in 2024 with UNICEF support, which aims to re-enroll 250,000 students by 2027.
She also reported that the ministry distributed health and hygiene kits to 10,000 boys and girls nationwide and launched Liberia’s first National Student Handbook, establishing a code of conduct and reporting mechanisms for abuse.
“The ministry also held a National Student Symposium with representatives from all 15 counties to develop a national agenda of recommendations for the President, while prioritizing resource allocation for early childhood education and inclusive schooling for all learners,” Sesay said.
The ministry also plans to elevate the Liberian Children’s Representative Forum from observers to “thought partners” and strategic policy consultants.
Gender Ministry Highlights Child Protection Progress
Deputy Gender Minister for Children and Social Protection Garmai S. Tokpah said the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection has completed a review of Liberia’s Children’s Law and is awaiting funding to proceed with amendments.
She said consultations involved the Law Reform Commission, the University of Liberia and the Ministry of Justice.
Tokpah also reported progress under the “Support the Child, Save the Future” project, which focuses on removing children from the streets and preventing trafficking.
According to her, 13,591 children have been identified and reunited with families; 4,001 children have been re-enrolled in 72 schools across Montserrado and Lower Margibi; 150 caregivers have received vocational training; and 120 visually impaired caregivers have received business training and small grants.
“An MOU was signed with UNICEF and Mother Pattan College of Health Sciences to develop a six-month postgraduate curriculum. This will train 60 government staff from various ministries in case management and violence response,” she said.
Tokpah added that a UNICEF-supported pilot project will provide cash support to more than 100 reunified children.
WASH Commission Announces New Commitments
WASH Commission Executive Director Morris Godo Jr. announced commitments to improve menstrual hygiene management facilities in schools across Montserrado, Lofa and other counties.
He said the commission will transform school health clubs into peer-led platforms focusing on hygiene practices, reproductive health awareness and leadership training.
“The Commission commits to operationalizing the recommendations of the Climate Landscape Analysis for Children. This involves integrating climate risk evidence into WASH planning and infrastructure investment,” Godo said.
He said the goal for 2026–2027 is to ensure that every Liberian child has access to safe water, adequate sanitation and proper hygiene.
Justice Ministry Outlines Child Justice Reforms
Representing the Ministry of Justice, J. Alben Greaves, Director for Legal Counsel, said the ministry and the Anti-Trafficking Task Force continue to prioritize trafficking investigations and prosecutions despite existing challenges.
“Out of 943 children in conflict with the law this year, 613 were diverted from the formal justice system. Currently, 83 children remain in prison, with the majority held in pretrial detention,” Greaves said.
He said the ministry plans to work with the Ministry of Youth and Sports and law enforcement agencies to provide TVET and vacation job opportunities for rehabilitated youth.
Greaves also said Liberia’s Children’s Law, now 15 years old, is under review, while the 42-day court term remains too short for effective prosecution of gender-based violence cases.
Government and Partners Renew Commitments to Children
UNICEF Liberia Country Representative Andrew Brooks emphasized the importance of a whole-of-government approach to advancing children’s rights, noting that responsibility for children extends across all sectors.
Brooks said that while important progress has been made, significant challenges remain, including reaching children in underserved communities with quality education and essential services.
UN Resident Coordinator Christine Umutoni encouraged children to take ownership of their futures, make positive choices and seize opportunities available to them.
“The Day of the African Child served as a commemorative space for the international community to engage with African youth,” she said.
The World Bank pledged a five-year partnership focused on education, jobs for youth and women, foundational literacy, health care and WASH facilities in schools.
The Embassy of Sweden reaffirmed support for the rights of women, boys and girls through UNICEF and UN partnerships, while the British Embassy highlighted ongoing support for safeguarding policies in schools, support for pregnant teenagers and girls’ football development.
Partners also pointed to new facilities at Blue Barracks designed to improve the safety, dignity and hygiene of girl athletes.
Renewed Commitments for Children
The meeting concluded with renewed commitments from government institutions, development partners, UN agencies and children themselves to strengthen collaboration, mobilize resources and accelerate progress toward improving the lives of Liberian children.
Participants emphasized that sustained investment in education, protection, health, sanitation and youth development will be critical to ensuring that every child in Liberia has the opportunity to survive, thrive and reach their full potential.
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