MONROVIA — The Paramount Young Women Initiative (PAYOWI), led by its Executive Coordinator, Atty. Facia B. Harris, concluded a one-day conference with female students from their mentoring club over the weekend. The event was held under the theme “Empowering Young Women to Lead a Better Future.”
The mentoring club operates in three counties: Montserrado, Margibi, and Grand Bassa. Its aims include educating female students about sexual health, reproductive health rights, menstrual hygiene, and ways to reduce teenage pregnancy, among other topics.
The Executive Director of the President Young Professionals Program, Madam Ciatta Stevens d’Almeida, served as the keynote speaker. She urged Liberian students to focus on their studies and emphasized the importance of young girls taking their lessons seriously to promote peacebuilding and women’s empowerment in Liberia. Madam d’Almeida also stressed the need for women’s empowerment in society.
The program took place at the Young Women’s Christian Association (YWCA) in Congo Town. During her speech, Madam d’Almeida encouraged young girls to stay focused and speak their minds without fear when necessary.
Various topics were presented during the program, including laws and policies, the National Girls’ Education Policy, Sexual Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR), grooming future leaders, activism for social justice and women’s rights, and maintaining a career with integrity and honesty.
Madam Hawa Wilson, representing Mrs. Aminata Sneh, head of the Secretariat Liberia, highlighted teenage pregnancy as a key barrier affecting young girls. According to her, PAYOWI has made significant efforts in eradicating teenage pregnancy by enhancing the capacities of schools, identifying issues, and finding solutions.
At the end of the program, one of PAYOWI’s mentees, Roselyne Nimely of Clavery Chapel Mission, praised PAYOWI and expressed a desire for more mentees to be trained so they can, in turn, train others. She appreciated the work of PAYOWI and encouraged them to continue their efforts.
Meanwhile, schools mentored by PAYOWI were awarded certificates for their participation and punctuality during the 2023-2024 academic year.
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