MONROVIA – The Ministry of Health, through the Family Health Division, has praised the management of the Initiative for Women and Youth Empowerment (IWYE) for its ongoing advocacy to increase the family planning budget within the Ministry of Health budget.
At a one-day budget tracking workshop organized by IWYE, under the themed “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,” Mrs. Sametta D. George, the Family Planning Coordinator at the Ministry of Health and an expert in sexual reproductive health rights education, praised IWYE’s management for their commitment and support in advocating for an increase in the family planning budget.
The one-day workshop, held at the Liberia Learning Center in Paynesville, gathered 25 participants, including representatives from the Ministry of Health, opinion leaders, the Planned Parenthood Association of Liberia (PPAL), journalists, and community-based and civil society organizations.
Speaking at the event, Mrs. George extended greetings from the senior management team at the Family Health Division (FHD) and added that the FHD family is always excited to respond to the call from IWYE.
She stated that health is wealth; thus, the Ministry plays a crucial role in ensuring that the health of Liberians, particularly regarding sexual reproductive health and rights, is addressed effectively and efficiently. She said the workshop organized by IWYE focuses on tracking what the Ministry receives from the government, how that funding is utilized, and who benefits from the resources provided for sexual and reproductive services, particularly sexual and reproductive health and rights.
She further emphasized the importance of participants paying close attention to the presentations to understand how allotments are made and the roles and responsibilities of the Finance and Health Ministries.
“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,” she stressed.
She emphasized that 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.
However, the Family Planning Coordinator emphasized that it is crucial for adolescents to make the right choices for their future. She stated 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. She mentioned that although 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. Mrs. George further warned against using unreliable methods and encouraged everyone to utilize the services available to help shift the negative perceptions surrounding contraceptives. She added that raising awareness could be the key to changing people’s views if the necessary resources are obtained or provided. She stressed that information dissemination and awareness campaigns should not only target urban Liberia but should also reach the hard-to-access communities directly.
Mr. Momo Seh, Program Officer of Planned Parenthood Association of Liberia/PPA-L, during his presentation, commended IWYE’s management for its consistency and urged participants to approach the fight for increased support for family planning services as a collective effort rather than an individual endeavor.
He noted that family planning is gradually gaining the national government’s attention, and he praised his superiors at the Ministry of Health for their ongoing leadership and supervisory roles. He reassured that PPA-L would continue to support grassroots organizations dedicated to advocating for budgetary assistance to family planning services, benefiting the younger generation.
He took the opportunity to encourage IWYE’s management to persist in reaching out to rural communities with awareness campaigns, as misconceptions about contraceptives and sexual reproductive health and rights still prevail in semi-urban and rural areas across the country. “We at PPA-L cannot do it alone. So, we are encouraging you to continue this drive and engage the communities with awareness. Your approach to dialogue is mind-blowing. Today, the results are glaring. If we can have such a robust force joining the boat for change, the future of our youth population will be preserved,” he stated.
During the event, the Program Officer of IWYE, Mr. Marx Ledlum, expressed his institution’s gratitude to the Ministry of Health, PPA-L, the government, partners and stakeholders, for their ongoing support and commitment to IWYE’s mission. He praised the Joseph Boakai-led Administration for its dedication to the future and well-being of the youth. “I am greatly excited to hear that the government, through the 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.
Ledlum further urged implementing partners and grassroots organizations dedicated to promoting sexual reproductive, and health rights to do so in the interest of the country’s youthful population, as many youths, particularly girls, are driven by sexual needs and are eager to pursue their education.
Hannah L. Moses for WAFCON 2025
