Monrovia,Liberia: The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, with support from UNICEF and UNFPA, has concluded a two-day national stakeholders validation workshop aimed at advancing the rights, empowerment, and potential of adolescent girls across Liberia.

Held from July 1–2, the workshop brought together a wide range of stakeholders including representatives from government ministries, civil society, youth-led organizations, development partners, and community leaders to review and validate a strategic project framework focused on addressing the unique challenges faced by adolescent girls.

Despite progress in gender equality, adolescent girls in Liberia continue to confront significant barriers such as limited access to quality education, healthcare, protection services, and economic opportunities. These challenges are often compounded by deeply rooted social norms and harmful practices.

In response, the Ministry is leading a comprehensive empowerment initiative that promotes inclusive, gender-responsive programs focused on education, healthcare, leadership development, and protection from gender-based violence.

The validation workshop highlighted several key priorities, including active engagement of multi-sectoral stakeholders in reviewing the project’s core goals and strategies, ensuring that the voices and lived experiences of adolescent girls meaningfully inform project design and implementation, and clearly defining roles and responsibilities to foster collaboration and accountability.

It also emphasized the importance of building consensus around a shared vision for the empowerment and advancement of adolescent girls in Liberia.

Mr. Patrick Worzie, Deputy Minister for Gender and Children’s Development, emphasized the importance of collective ownership. “This project must be more than a plan it must be a promise that no Liberian girl is left behind,” he said.

Participants contributed valuable insights that helped refine the project’s approach and strategic direction. The outcomes of the workshop will directly inform the final design and nationwide rollout of the adolescent girls’ empowerment project.

The Ministry of Gender expressed gratitude to all stakeholders for their engagement and reaffirmed its commitment to building a Liberia where every girl can thrive and reach her full potential.

Written By: Jerry Laynumah Siakor

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