The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has urged the Liberian Government and development stakeholders to make investment in adolescent girls a national development priority, warning that Liberia’s progress could be undermined if young women continue to face barriers to education, skills development and economic opportunities.
UNFPA Liberia Country Representative Dr. Mady Biaye said empowering adolescent girls is essential to strengthening Liberia’s human capital and achieving sustainable and inclusive development.
Speaking during a media workshop at the Kofi Annan Conference Hall in Monrovia, Dr. Biaye stressed the need for increased investment to help girls remain in school, complete their education and acquire the skills needed to participate meaningfully in Liberia’s economy and society.
He said Liberia cannot achieve meaningful and sustainable development while a significant portion of its young population remains constrained by barriers that prevent them from realizing their full potential.
According to Dr. Biaye, education remains one of the most important investments the country can make in adolescent girls, but he emphasized that empowerment must extend beyond access to classrooms.
He said girls must also be provided with opportunities, skills and support that enable them to transition from education into productive lives and contribute to national development.
Investing in adolescent girls, he noted, would help create a healthier, more productive and better-prepared population while strengthening the country’s future workforce and human capital.
Dr. Biaye reaffirmed UNFPA’s commitment to supporting a Liberia where every pregnancy is intentional, every childbirth is safe and young people are given the opportunity to reach their full potential.
He said achieving that vision requires coordinated efforts from government, development partners, communities, families, schools and the media.
Meanwhile, Dr. Biaye has challenged Liberian journalists to strengthen ethical and responsible reporting, particularly when covering sensitive issues affecting women, girls and young people.
Addressing members of the UNFPA Media Network for Championing the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD), he urged journalists to verify information before publication and avoid sensationalism, misinformation and reporting that could further stigmatize vulnerable groups.
He described journalism as a rights-based profession and encouraged reporters to approach their work with professionalism, dedication and a deeper understanding of the issues they cover.
Dr. Biaye said responsible journalism is critical to informing the public and shaping national conversations around issues affecting women, girls and young people.
He urged journalists to recognize the influence of their reporting and ensure that stories involving vulnerable populations are handled accurately, fairly and with respect for human dignity.
His call comes as Liberia continues to face challenges in ensuring that adolescent girls have access to quality education, economic opportunities and the support required to become productive participants in national development.
For UNFPA, Dr. Biaye said, investment in adolescent girls should not be viewed merely as a social intervention, but as a strategic investment in Liberia’s economic future.
The agency maintains that when girls are empowered to stay in school, develop skills and make informed decisions about their lives, the benefits extend beyond individuals to families, communities and the wider national economy.
Dr. Biaye therefore called for sustained commitment and stronger partnerships to remove the barriers limiting girls’ opportunities and ensure that Liberia’s young population becomes a foundation for long-term national development.
