Published: May 21, 2025
GBARNGA, Bong County – Forty-seven girls from six high schools in Gbarnga received training on teenage pregnancy prevention, drug abuse awareness, and career development during a one-day workshop organized by Kathy Justice Girls Educational Liberia.
The intensive workshop, held on Saturday in a modest community hall, brought together students, educators, and guest speakers to tackle some of the most pressing challenges facing young women in Liberia. Organized by the local nonprofit focused on youth empowerment, the event aimed to equip adolescent girls with the tools to make informed decisions and become change-makers in their schools and communities.
Confronting Substance Abuse and Exploitation
One of the workshop’s most impactful sessions focused on the growing threat of drug abuse among youth. Pastor A. Dakermue Kollie, a guest speaker, highlighted the dangers of substance use, particularly for young girls.
“Drug abuse is especially harmful to young girls,” Pastor Kollie said. “It exposes them to exploitation, mental health challenges, and derails their academic futures.”
He called on community leaders, parents, and schools to take collective responsibility in curbing drug use before the crisis spirals out of control.
According to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), global drug use has risen by 22% over the past decade. In Liberia, anecdotal reports suggest an increase in drug addiction among teenagers, especially in urban centers where synthetic drugs like “Kush” are becoming more common.
Breaking the Cycle of Teenage Pregnancy
A separate session, led by a gender specialist, addressed the high rate of teenage pregnancy in Liberia. According to UNICEF, 3 in 10 Liberian girls give birth before the age of 18, often leading to school dropouts and long-term economic hardship.
“When girls give birth at a young age, they are more likely to leave school, limiting their opportunities and increasing the risk of lifelong poverty,” the gender expert said.
The speaker emphasized that education, awareness, and community support are essential to reversing this trend and empowering girls to stay in school.
A Mission Rooted in Education and Self-Worth
The training was facilitated by Thomas Malord Saydee, co-founder and executive director of Kathy Justice Girls Educational Liberia. Saydee, who recently returned from China to support the initiative, said the workshop is part of the organization’s broader effort to prepare girls for leadership and self-reliance.
“We want to break the chain of poverty and abuse through education, awareness, and career guidance,” Saydee said. “Girls must know their worth and make decisions that secure their future.”
Also present at the event were 15 American youth missionaries from Christ for the Nations, an evangelical group on a mission to support youth empowerment and spread the gospel in Liberia.
Ongoing Commitment to Girls’ Education
Founded in 2021, Kathy Justice Girls Educational Liberia continues to lead initiatives that promote sex education, youth leadership, and academic mentorship in both urban and rural communities.
Students attending the workshop came from six high schools in Gbarnga, including St. Martin Catholic High School, Williams V.S. Tubman-Gray High School, Sumo Moye Memorial High School, and CAN-Leadership Academy (formerly Triple A), among others.
Many participants described the workshop as transformational. “This workshop opened our minds. We now know the dangers of peer pressure and how to avoid early pregnancy,” said Marline Nuo-Duke, a student at Sumo Moye Memorial High School.
Inspired by the experience, the girls pledged to become peer educators, promote discipline, and discourage early marriage in their schools and communities.
A Call for Broader Support
According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 12 million girls aged 15–19 and 777,000 girls under 15 give birth each year in developing regions. These young mothers face increased health risks, and their children are more likely to suffer from low birth weight and long-term complications.
The UNODC World Drug Report 2023 also revealed that 296 million people used drugs globally in 2021—a 23% increase over the past decade. Youth and women are among the fastest-growing groups affected.
Organizers said the workshop was not just a one-day event but a platform for long-term change, reflection, and action. Kathy Justice Girls Educational Liberia is now urging the Liberian government, international partners, and parents to support the expansion of similar programs across the country.
“Investing in girls,” the organization stressed, “is not only a moral imperative—it is a strategic path to sustainable national development.”
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