Liberia: ActionAid, Partners Brainstorm Over Maputo Protocol Deceleration

The strategic coastal town of Mocímboa da Praia in 2013.

ActionAid Liberia is calling for the full implementation of the eradication of the female genital mutilation against women and girls across the country, terming the practice as evil and demonic and it should no longer be accepted in the society.

Making the disclosure at a day-long MAPUTO protocol dialogue in Monrovia, ActionAid Liberia Country Director Elizabeth Gbah Johnson said that there is a need for the full eradication of the female genital mutilation across the country in order to enable girls maintain their true feeling and potential.

ActionAid Liberia along with its implementing partners converged at a local hotel to brainstorm on the full MAPUTO protocol, aimed at securing a comprehensive sexual and reproductive rights in Liberia.

The goal of the project is to ensure that women, youth and other marginalized groups can thrive in a healthy, safe, equitable and inclusive community in the country.

The MAPUTO protocol is an African charter protocol on Human and people's rights, the right of women in Africa and international human rights instrument established by the African Union that went into effect in 2005 which Liberia is a signatory.

The program was graced by several women grouping including Civil Society Organization and the Deputy Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Madam Alice Johnson Howard.

Madam Howard urged the Government to update the health system by making available qualified medical workers, electricity and ambulance to all healthcare centers in the country, adding that by doing so Liberia will achieve a lot in fighting sicknesses here.

Speaking on Liberia's position on the MAPUTO, she said Liberia is a signatory to the MAPUTO declaration and pregnant women are now allowed to attend school in Liberia from now onward.

Madam Howard indicated that it's significant to remove legal, regulatory and barriers limiting access to sexual reproductive health (SRH) community programs and services.

"Develop and implement legal and policy framework that prevents child marriage, and implement policies strategy and plan to reduce unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortion by developing legal framework strategic with program that deals with SGBV," she urged.

"We will make sure that this is taught to all people particularly, children, adolescents and youth both in and out of school with age-appropriate and culturally sensitive," Madam she continued.

AllAfrica publishes around 400 reports a day from more than 100 news organizations and over 500 other institutions and individuals, representing a diversity of positions on every topic. We publish news and views ranging from vigorous opponents of governments to government publications and spokespersons. Publishers named above each report are responsible for their own content, which AllAfrica does not have the legal right to edit or correct.

Articles and commentaries that identify allAfrica.com as the publisher are produced or commissioned by AllAfrica. To address comments or complaints, please Contact us.