HoH  Commends IWYE Advocacy

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ADNews-Monrovia, Liberia: The Ministry of Health (MoH), through its Family Health Division, has commended the Initiative for Women and Youth Empowerment (IWYE) for its unwavering advocacy in promoting increased budgetary support for family planning programs across Liberia.

By Geeplay Ezekiel Geeplay

The commendation was made on Monday, May 19, 2025, during a one-day budget-tracking workshop held in Monrovia. Organized by IWYE, the event aimed to strengthen the capacity of civil society organizations in budget preparation, allotment processes, and monitoring—key tools for effective advocacy for increased funding for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).

Speaking at the workshop, Sametta D. George, Family Planning Coordinator and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights Education Expert at the Ministry of Health, praised IWYE for its persistent engagement and advocacy efforts.

“The Family Health Division is excited to respond to the call from IWYE,” said Madam George. “Health is wealth, and we remain committed to ensuring that the sexual and reproductive health and rights of all Liberians are addressed efficiently and effectively.”

She further applauded IWYE’s Executive Director and her team for their leadership and advocacy work, emphasizing that productive women’s leadership should be celebrated and supported.

“To the participants,” George continued, “you need the information, but it’s equally important to understand how to access it, where to get it, and whom to approach. Adolescents must make informed decisions about their future—no one desires an unplanned life filled with uncertainty.”

George also urged women and girls to be mindful of their health decisions, particularly when accessing contraceptives, and encouraged attendees to use the event as an opportunity to engage the Ministry’s Family Health Division with pertinent questions.

In a special remark, IWYE Program Officer Marx Ledlum expressed gratitude to the Ministry of Health and the Government of Liberia for their continued support. He also praised the Boakai administration for its responsiveness to youth issues.

“I’m excited to hear that the government, through the national legislature, has committed to allocating 2% of the national budget toward family planning services,” said Ledlum. “This is a milestone achievement, and we are grateful to AmplifyChange for supporting us on this journey.”

Ledlum called on implementing partners and grassroots organizations to amplify their efforts in promoting SRHR, noting that many young people, especially adolescent girls, are affected by the consequences of limited reproductive health education.

“Teenage pregnancy remains a significant barrier to education and advancement for young girls. Without adequate knowledge and access to services, many resort to unsafe methods, sometimes resulting in fatal outcomes,” he said.

He stressed that better service delivery is directly tied to saving lives and empowering young women to make informed decisions.

Founded in 2015 and formerly known as Girls for Literacy Inc., the Initiative for Women and Youth Empowerment (IWYE) focuses on the empowerment of women, youth, and girls through vocational training, advocacy, and awareness-raising on health-related issues.