Nearly half of all Liberian children are out of school, according to UNICEF, which warns that the country's future is at risk unless bold and coordinated reforms are urgently implemented.
UNICEF Country Representative Andy Brooks sounded the alarm during an indoor program in Monrovia commemorating both the Day of the African Child and the World Day Against Child Labour. He urged the Liberian government, development partners, and the private sector to go beyond symbolic gestures and commit to systemic reforms that put children at the center of national development.
Citing new data, Brooks said 50.1 percent of school-aged children in Liberia are not enrolled, a crisis he described as a "direct threat to the nation's human capital and social cohesion." He warned that an uneducated generation would perpetuate cycles of poverty, inequality, and social instability.
Alongside the education crisis, Brooks revealed that Liberia's under-five mortality rate stands at 93 deaths per 1,000 live births, one of the highest globally. He described it as a "silent emergency" that demands immediate national attention. Child stunting, affecting 30 percent of children under five, and low birth registration rates--only 66 percent of children are officially registered--further compound the crisis.
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"This is more than a humanitarian issue. This is about Liberia's ability to grow, thrive, and prosper," Brooks said. "We are calling for bold, measurable action."
Brooks also expressed concern over Liberia's overreliance on external funding, noting that 70 percent of the social sector budget is supported by foreign donors, while the country's tax-to-GDP ratio remains low at 13 percent. This, he said, undermines national sustainability and the ability to plan and deliver services effectively.
A Vision for 2029
Brooks outlined a roadmap for transforming child welfare by 2029 under the ARREST Agenda for Inclusive Development (AAID). Key goals include reducing under-five mortality from 93 to 47 deaths per 1,000 live births, cutting maternal mortality to 440 per 100,000, expanding universal health coverage from 45 to 80 percent, and increasing life expectancy to 63 years.
He said stunting could be reduced to 20 percent and exclusive breastfeeding rates increased by 10 percentage points. These outcomes, he noted, would require ring-fencing maternal and child nutrition in the national budget, strengthening health referral systems, and reaching remote communities with consistent services.
Brooks also called for county governments and every ministry to be held accountable for meeting child-focused targets. He urged enhanced partnerships with non-state actors and emphasized the need for outcome-based programming.
Water, Sanitation, and Gender Protection
Access to clean water and safe sanitation, Brooks said, is non-negotiable. By 2029, UNICEF envisions 65 percent of Liberians accessing safely managed water, 90 percent achieving basic access, and open defecation eliminated. Fifty percent of the population is expected to benefit from improved sanitation, and 90 percent of health facilities should meet basic WASH standards.
On gender protection, Brooks projected that child marriage would be eradicated and gender-based violence reduced by 10 percent. He also called for 50 percent representation of women in leadership and a 10 percent increase in employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
"These targets are ambitious, but they are achievable--if Liberia invests strategically, holds itself accountable, and ensures that no one is left behind," Brooks said.
UNICEF's Commitment
To support the implementation of these goals, UNICEF will establish a high-level AAID Steering Committee, publish quarterly scorecards, and advocate for a dedicated budget line for child-centered programs. Brooks said the agency will also work to mobilize resources from both domestic and international partners.
"Our role is not just to advise or advocate. It is to work alongside Liberia to deliver results," Brooks said.
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Children Speak Out
Roberto R. Cooper, chairperson of the Liberia National Children Representative Forum, delivered a passionate plea on behalf of Liberian youth. He urged the government and partners to take children's rights seriously--not just on commemorative days, but every day.
"A nation that invests in children is a nation that invests in peace," Cooper said. "And a nation that listens to children builds lasting transformation."
He called for the reactivation of county-level child protection platforms and coordination systems to ensure youth voices influence national decisions.
Government Response
In a brief statement, Deputy Minister for Children and Social Protection Garmai S. Tokpah echoed the call for lasting commitment. She urged that the Day of the African Child not end as a celebration but serve as a turning point for sustained action.
"Our children are not just the future. They are the present," she said. "We see you. We hear you. And we will continue working for you."
