Empowering Women and Girls

In January, Adolescents Leading Intensive Fight against Ebola (A-LIFE) Project in West Point had the honor of receiving the Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF (from the UN Headquarters in New York), as Special guest.

The youth had the opportunity to have a very interactive dialogue with the high level UNICERF team that included the Liberia Country Representative, Mr. Sheldon Yett, the West Africa Regional Director, the Ebole Response Director from New York and the Head of Child Protection in the UNICEF-Liberia office. The team was led by Ms. Hawa Page, Adolescent Development Office of UNICEF-Liberia. 

The youth articulated issues affecting them and other youth of West Point. The young people pointed out that since the beginning of programs funded by UNICEF in West Point 3 years ago, school enrollement increased among them from 30% in the beginning to 70% last school year.

The Ebola outbreak has seriously affected them as their parents are not working and they are concerned that many of them will not be able to start school. The Legislature however have passed a decision that the re-opening of school be delayed for 1 month to give time to school authroities to ensure EVD prevention measures and to give parents and guardians time to get money to put their children and young people in school.

The second concern raised by the adolescents was the issue of increased teenage pregnancy. The young people attributed this to other young girls engaging in sexual activities to get money but now have unplanned pregnancies and are at risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections and Ebola.

The youth requested that a youth resource center be built to afford them a place where they can have their own space to interact, learn livelihood skills and mentor other young people.

The UNICEF guests were encouraged at the confidence exhibited by the youth as they interacted with them.