Published: August 22, 2025
MONROVIA — The Liberian government, in partnership with UNICEF, UNFPA and the governments of Sweden and Ireland, has launched a three-day Adolescent Girls Conference aimed at protecting, empowering and equipping girls to reach their full potential.
Held under the theme “Empowering Adolescent Girls to Achieve Their Full Potential,” the event brings together ministries, development partners and adolescent leaders from Montserrado, River Cess and Grand Gedeh counties for dialogue, training and advocacy.
Government Reaffirms Commitment to Girls’ Rights
Deputy Gender Minister for Children and Social Protection Garmai S. Tokpah said the conference is not an isolated initiative but part of Liberia’s broader commitment to gender equality under international frameworks.
She cited Liberia’s reaffirmation of the Beijing+30 Global Action Agenda in March 2025, which outlines national priorities to eliminate gender-based violence and invest in youth. Tokpah said the conference provides a platform for adolescent girls to gain leadership, confidence, communication and problem-solving skills that will prepare them as Liberia’s next generation of leaders.
She added that the program aligns with the government’s ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID) and the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals, particularly Goal 5 on gender equality. “Our goal is to ensure adolescent girls become confident decision-makers, prepared not only to succeed in their personal lives but to help drive the development of Liberia,” she said.
Girls Speak on Barriers and Opportunities
Christiana Queyou, president of the Adolescent Girls Advisory Panel in Montserrado County, outlined the challenges girls face across Liberia. She said although adolescent girls account for more than a third of the population, many remain trapped in poverty with limited access to nutrition, education and reproductive health services. These gaps, she noted, fuel high rates of teenage pregnancy and school dropouts.
Queyou also pointed to harmful cultural practices and rigid gender norms that undermine girls’ rights. She said anemia and malnutrition disproportionately affect young girls, hindering both their health and academic performance. “This conference gives us a platform to raise our voices, connect with each other and shape the future of our communities and our country,” she said, urging policymakers to act on the recommendations that emerge.
Development Partners Back Liberia’s Agenda
UNICEF Country Representative Andy Brooks stressed the importance of the conference as a catalyst for long-term change. He said UNICEF’s new Country Programme Document (2026–2030) will focus on creating environments where adolescents are protected, educated and empowered to contribute to sustainable development. He pledged that girls’ voices in Liberia will also be amplified at the upcoming Regional Girls’ Summit in West and Central Africa during the International Day of the Girl Child.
Brooks praised Ireland and Sweden for supporting the Nurture, Empower and Protect (NEP) Program, which prioritizes adolescent health and empowerment. He also acknowledged UNFPA, SIDA and the wider U.N. Gender Group as critical partners. “This is not charity; it is an investment in Liberia’s future,” Brooks said.
Building Skills, Leadership and Networks
Organizers said the three-day event is designed as an interactive experience rather than a series of lectures. Participants will engage in discussions, mentorship and skills-building workshops on leadership, decision-making and advocacy, enabling them to return to their communities as change agents.
By creating safe spaces for dialogue, the conference allows girls to share experiences on early marriage, teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence and limited economic opportunities. Officials said they hope these exchanges will strengthen support networks and encourage collaboration across counties.
“This conference will be a springboard for your future success,” Tokpah told participants. “Participate, ask questions and make the most of this valuable experience.”
A Step Toward Inclusive Development
Development partners emphasized that the conference represents more than a single event, describing it as part of a long-term strategy to make adolescent girls central to Liberia’s development agenda. They argued that the nation’s history of conflict has shown that sidelining women and girls undermines peace and progress.
A joint partners’ statement noted that the initiative reflects Liberia’s commitments under the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, the Convention on the Rights of the Child and recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, which underscored the need to address marginalization and empower women and girls.
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