Girls at the Forefront

MONROVIA, LIBERIA — In a powerful move to amplify the voices and rights of adolescent girls, UNICEF, in collaboration with the Government of Liberia and key partners, recently convened an Adolescent Girls Conference. This event, held 30 years after the landmark Beijing Platform for Action, provided a critical platform for girls, boys, and adult stakeholders to identify and strategize on the most pressing issues facing adolescent girls today. The insights gathered will directly inform impactful and sustainable policies, culminating in the upcoming Regional Adolescent Girls' Summit, set to take place on 11-12 October in Dakar, Senegal, to celebrate the International Day of the Girl.

UNICEF Liberia's commitment to creating a supportive environment for adolescents was a central theme of the event. The UNICEF Country Programme Document 2026-2030 will work directly with adolescent girls and partners to help them thrive and reach their full potential, contributing positively to a sustainable Liberia. The discussion focused on actionable strategies to tackle the gender norms impacting nutrition and sexual reproductive health and rights.

"We just wrapped up the first day of the Adolescent Girls Conference, a pivotal event made possible by the commitment of our partners, the Government of Ireland and the Government of Sweden, along with key government ministers," said Andrew Brooks, UNICEF Liberia Representative. "This conference is a critical step in our mission to empower adolescent girls, but the conversation is far from over. The challenges they face are urgent, and the statistics are sobering."

The challenges facing adolescent girls in Liberia remain significant. According to 2019-2020 Liberia Demographic and Health Survey (LDHS), 55% of adolescent girls aged 15-19 are anemic, a severe public health issue that perpetuates an intergenerational cycle of malnutrition. Educationally, girls face a higher dropout rate (10.3%) than boys (8.9%), and a noticeable gender disparity in primary school enrolment persists.

The insights from this conference and other consultations will be the cornerstone of the Regional Adolescent Girls' Summit. The summit will champion girls' voices and translate their priorities into concrete actions, serving as a powerful demonstration of UNICEF's unwavering commitment to the adolescent girls' agenda.

"The insights from this conference are a roadmap, not a conclusion," Brooks emphasized. "They will fuel our advocacy at the Regional Adolescent Girls’ Summit, where we will champion girls' rights and push for concrete action. The future of Liberia depends on the empowerment and protection of its girls. Let's turn these insights into action and ensure every girl can achieve her full potential."