Empowering Adolescents And Young People: The Surest Way To Assure Rights And Choices For All In Liberia – FrontPageAfrica

Reviewing Progress on the Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and Development

From 6 – 10 November 2023, a meeting will be held in which Ministers, Government officials, parliamentarians, population experts, civil society representatives, and young people from 55 countries in the African Continent will gather to review and endorse the continental report on progress made in the 10 years since the Addis Ababa Declaration on Population and Development (AADPD + 10). This review is tied to the upcoming International Conference of Population and Development (ICPD@30) in April 2024.

Introduction

During this meeting, Liberia will also participate and discuss the progress made in key areas of the review, which include:

1. Dignity and Equality
2. Health
3. Place and Mobility
4. Governance
5. Data and Statistics
6. International Cooperation and Partnership

The continental review aims to track the progress of individual member states of the African Union on the 81 commitments made by governments as part of international and regional processes. This review, commissioned by the African Union Commission, is supported by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).

The Importance of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

The progress made by countries is benchmarked against the International Conference on Population and Development held in Cairo, Egypt, nearly three decades ago. This conference emphasized the importance of people’s rights in development and recognized sexual and reproductive health and rights as fundamental human rights. It highlighted the empowerment of women and girls as crucial for individual, family, national, and global well-being. The ICPD Agenda places women and girls at the center of sustainable development, emphasizing the importance of rights and choices for all individuals to live and thrive.

Progress in Liberia

Liberia has made significant changes since adopting the ICPD Agenda and its Programmes of Action, as well as the AADPD commitments. These changes have focused on ensuring access to quality sexual reproductive health and rights information and services. Some notable achievements include:

• The development of a comprehensive concept of reproductive health, including family planning and sexual health
• Political commitment to population-related policies, family planning programs, and investments to address gender-based violence and harmful practices
• Providing matching funds for procuring reproductive health commodities
• The availability of a costed family planning implementation plan
• The development of evidence-based National School Health Policy
• The integration of age-appropriate Comprehensive Sexuality Education (CSE) into the national curriculum
• The recent ban on Female Genital Mutilation (FGM)

There has also been an emphasis on data and statistics for development, with the completion of surveys such as the Demographic Health Survey (DHS), Census, and upcoming Information Management System for Gender-Based Violence (GBVIMS).

Challenges in Liberia

Despite these achievements, Liberia still faces significant challenges and inequalities. Some of the key challenges include:

• High maternal mortality rates
• Limited access to quality reproductive health care
• Low contraceptive prevalence rate among adolescents
• High teenage pregnancy rate
• Harmful traditional practices affecting adolescent girls
• Restrictive legal and policy environment impacting access to sexual and reproductive health services

Success Stories in Liberia

However, there have been success stories in Liberia that demonstrate change is possible. For example, the program on “Empowered and Fulfilled” for adolescents in four southeastern counties has led to increased modern contraceptive utilization and a reduction in teenage pregnancy rates. This program utilizes a three-access point model, reaching adolescents through health facilities, communities, and schools to provide sexual and reproductive health information and services.

Partnerships and Investments for the Future

Achieving the ICPD agenda and commitments is possible with the right partnerships and investments. In a young country like Liberia, where a significant portion of the population is under the age of 35, it is crucial to invest in critical areas such as adolescent and youth health, education and skills development, employment opportunities, and freedom from violence and harmful practices. These investments must be supported by robust data and statistics to track progress.

Partnerships between the government, multilateral and bilateral agencies, development partners, academic institutions, the media, and individuals themselves are essential for success. These partnerships should be based on a shared vision for the country, trust, accountability, and leveraging complementary strengths, technical expertise, and resources.

Conclusion

Liberia has the potential to achieve significant success by empowering its adolescents and young people through smart investments. By focusing on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and prioritizing the well-being of its population, Liberia can make progress towards a more sustainable and equitable future by 2030.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

1. SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

   • Target 3.1: By 2030, reduce the global maternal mortality ratio to less than 70 per 100,000 live births.
   • Target 3.7: By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programs.

   The article mentions the high maternal mortality rate in Liberia, with 742 deaths per 100,000 live births. This indicates a need to work towards achieving Target 3.1. Additionally, the article highlights the low contraceptive prevalence rate among adolescents and the high unmet need for family planning, indicating a need to work towards achieving Target 3.7.

2. SDG 5: Gender Equality

   • Target 5.3: Eliminate all harmful practices, such as child, early and forced marriage and female genital mutilation.
   • Target 5.6: Ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health and reproductive rights as agreed in accordance with the Program of Action of the International Conference on Population and Development and the Beijing Platform for Action and the outcome documents of their review conferences.

   The article mentions harmful traditional practices affecting adolescent girls, such as child marriage and female genital mutilation/cutting. This indicates a need to work towards achieving Target 5.3. The article also highlights limited access to sexual and reproductive health services for adolescents, indicating a need to work towards achieving Target 5.6.

3. SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

   • Target 10.2: By 2030, empower and promote the social, economic, and political inclusion of all, irrespective of age, sex, disability, race, ethnicity, origin, religion, or economic or other status.

   The article mentions the inequalities and challenges faced by women and adolescent girls in Liberia. This indicates a need to work towards achieving Target 10.2.

4. SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals

   • Target 17.17: Encourage and promote effective public, public-private, and civil society partnerships, building on the experience and resourcing strategies of partnerships.

   The article emphasizes the importance of partnerships between various stakeholders to achieve the goals and commitments of the ICPD agenda. This indicates a need to work towards achieving Target 17.17.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: frontpageafricaonline.com

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