The Help a mother and Newborn Initiative (HMNI), with support from the Urgent Action Fund, has completed a powerful series of Deepening Sessions under the EchoChange Project, an initiative designed to strengthen grassroots understanding and advocacy around Liberia’s revised Public Health Bill.
Between July 1 and 18, 2025, the project team visited five target communities—King Gray and New Kru Town in Montserrado County, and Floko’s Town, Yarnwullie, and Weala in Margibi County. These introductory and follow-up meetings laid the foundation for trust and collective ownership.
In each community, town chiefs, chairpersons, and other influential leaders welcomed the initiative warmly, expressing gratitude for being selected and underscoring the importance of locally driven solutions to health and youth challenges. Broader conversations followed with women and youth leaders, religious leaders, teachers, health workers, elders, and persons with disabilities. For many, it was their very first-time hearing about the Public Health Law.
A consistent message was clear: community members were eager to collaborate, mobilize, and take ownership of the project. Leaders in New Kru Town suggested beginning with Block-D for maximum impact, while in Weala and Yarnwullie, participants pledged to organize larger meetings to ensure inclusive participation. Requests for support with transportation and refreshments underscored the sacrifices made to attend, but the overwhelming sentiment was one of readiness and determination.
From August 12 to 19, 2025, HMNI hosted three sets of two-day strategic workshops at the Liberia Business Association Headquarters in Paynesville. These included sessions for women leaders (August 12–13), youth representatives (August 14–15), and religious and traditional leaders (August 18–19). Each community nominated five representatives, ensuring diversity and inclusivity.
Through interactive exercises such as the “Value Game” and “Law or No Law,” participants engaged deeply with concepts of health, sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR), myths and misconceptions, and the role of public policy in safeguarding wellbeing. For many, it was their first in-depth exposure to the Public Health Law and its implications. Women leaders identified pressing SRHR issues affecting girls and mothers, pledging to share accurate information with their communities.
Youth leaders designed advocacy action plans for schools and neighborhoods, committing to challenge stigma and misinformation. Religious and traditional leaders embraced culturally sensitive messaging, vowing to use their platforms to foster dialogue and understanding.
These sessions created safe and respectful spaces across generations, genders, and beliefs. Despite challenges such as transport strikes and scheduling conflicts, participants demonstrated resilience and commitment to building healthier, more informed communities.
Real Impact: Changing Perceptions and Inspiring Action
The impact of the EchoChange Project is already visible:
At the community level, leaders and representatives now feel confident to talk openly about health and rights. An elder in Yarnwullie stated, “This is my first time hearing about this law. I am happy to learn and share it with our young people so they can make better choices.”
At the individual level, women and youth expressed empowerment. One participant reflected, “I never knew the law protects our health this way. Now I can explain it to other women so they will not be afraid.” A youth leader added, “We have been hearing plenty of things that are not true. Now we can talk to our friends with the right information.”
By framing the Public Health Bill as a tool for wellbeing rather than narrowly on abortion, the project is reducing stigma, building trust, and inspiring ownership.
Looking Ahead
The Deepening Sessions are not an end but a beginning. Community representatives are now preparing to organize dialogues, advocate with lawmakers, and share knowledge more widely. HMNI will continue supporting these grassroots advocates, ensuring that their voices shape the national conversation on public health and rights.
“This project has shown us that when communities are informed, respected, and empowered, they are not just beneficiaries but leaders of change,” said Qweta C. Gbaie, Project Lead
About HMNI
Help a mother and Newborn Initiative (HMNI) is a Liberian nonprofit organization dedicated to improving maternal, newborn, and community health through advocacy, education, and grassroots empowerment.
