Health Ministry Commends IWYE Advocacy Initiatives, Assures Increase Budgetary Support to Boost Family Planning Awareness

By Geeplay Ezekiel Geeplay |Correspondent

Monrovia, Tuesday, May 20, 2025- The Ministry of Health, through its Family Health Division, has commended the Management of Initiative for Women and Youth Empowerment (IWYE), for its steadfast commitment in advocating for increase budgetary support to boost family planning  program and awareness nationwide.

The special recognition was witnessed Monday, May 19, 2025 in Monrovia at a daylong budget-tracking workshop organized by IWYE, aimed at Strengthening the Capacity of Civil Society Organizations on Budget Preparation, Allotment Process, and Tracking for Effective Advocacy with the Government of Liberia for an Increase in SRHR Funding.

Making remark, MOH Family Planning Coordinator and Sexual Reproductive Health Rights Education Expert Sametta D. George, lauded IWYE’s Management for their commitment and support in advocating for increase family planning budget at the national level, added that the Family Health Division of the Ministry of Health is excited to respond to the call from IWYE.

Madam George noted that health is wealth, reaffirmed the Ministry’s crucial role in ensuring that the health of Liberians, particularly Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights are addressed effectively and efficiently.

“I want to thank you and your team, Madam Executive Director, for your consistent engagement with the Ministry of Health-Family Health Division/FHD over the years. Indeed, productive women’s leadership must be celebrated and encouraged by all. To you, the participants, you need the information; however, it is important to ask how you can access the information, where to get it, and whom to approach. Understanding who to meet and what is expected from that person when seeking these services concerns the Ministry of Health. The well-being of adolescents is particularly crucial now as social realities continue to impact their lives; hence, the need for collaboration is a significant step in the right direction,” she added.

However, the Family Planning Coordinator emphasized the need for adolescents to make the right choices for their future, added, that no one desires an unplanned future filled with uncertainties.

She urged girls, including women, to be mindful of their actions when seeking health needs, especially contraceptives.

“While it’s true  the event aims to track the budget allocation process, it is essential for participating organizations to prioritize asking relevant questions to the Ministry of Health-FHD team attending the event” Madam George noted.

Making Special Remark, IWYE Program Officer Marx Ledlum, expressed his institution’s gratitude to the Ministry of Health, the government of Liberia for continue support and commitment to IWYE’s mission for change.

He acknowledged government listening role in adherence to the plight of the youthful population of the country, praised the Boakai-led government for its dedication to the future and well-being of the youth.

“I am greatly excited to hear that the government of Liberia, through the national legislature, has agreed to allocate 2% of the national budget to support family planning services. We can only be grateful to Amplify Change for the support given to us to embark on this important journey.

This is a milestone achievement, and we are thankful that this is happening at a time when we have remained committed to this fight. Again, thank yaaa-Amplify Change,” he added.

The IWYE program manager  further urged implementing partners and grassroots organizations dedicated to promoting sexual reproductive, and health rights to doing more  in the interest of the country’s youthful population, as many youths, particularly girls, are driven by sexual needs and are eager to pursue higher education, Thus, teenage pregnancy continues to be a significant barrier to their educational aspirations.

Across Liberia, many youths, especially adolescent girls require education on the use of contraceptives as teenage pregnancy rates continue to rise. It is often said that babies are having babies. These young girls sometimes resort to dangerous methods when faced with pregnancy, leading to untimely deaths. The demand for adequate service delivery across the country relates directly to the protection of lives and serves as an intervention to guide girls towards making informed decisions about their health rights and sexual needs.

The Initiative for Women and Youth Empowerment, Inc. (IWYE), formerly ‘Girls for Literacy Inc.’, is a non-governmental and not-for-profit-making organization that is duly registered with the Government of Liberia. Established in 2015, IWYE has been vigorously implementing programs and projects aimed at women, youth, and girls’ empowerment through vocational training programs; advocacy and awareness-raising on health-related issues.

Edited: Jesefu Morris Keita| Editor-In-Chief