By: Matalay Kollie
More than 47 school-going girls from six high schools
participated in a transformative one-day workshop organized by Kathy Justice
Girls Educational Liberia in Gbarnga.
The event, held to address pressing issues affecting adolescent girls in Liberia, focused on peer pressure, teenage pregnancy, drug
abuse, and career development, while encouraging resilience, awareness, and
responsible decision-making.
The workshop opened with powerful presentations from experts
and community leaders. Among them was Pastor A. Dakermue Kollie, who raised
concerns about the growing trend of substance abuse among young people,
especially girls.
He emphasized that drug use can lead to exploitation, mental
health challenges, and educational setbacks. Citing data from the United
Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, he noted a global rise in drug use by 22%
over the past decade. In Liberia, the spread of drugs like โKushโ has become
particularly worrisome in urban areas.
Pastor Kollie urged parents, schools, and community leaders
to adopt preventive strategies.
โWe must act now to protect our youth from a future shaped
by addiction and despair,โ he stated.
The issue of teenage pregnancy was addressed by a gender
specialist who explained that nearly 30% of Liberian girls give birth before
age 18, as reported by UNICEF.
This reality contributes to high school dropout rates due to
stigma, economic hardship, and lack of family support. โWhen girls give birth
young, their chances of continuing education and gaining employment diminish
significantly,โ she explained. โThis perpetuates poverty across generations.โ
Mr. Thomas Malord Saydee, Co-Founder and Executive Director
of Kathy Justice Girls Educational Liberia, reaffirmed the organizationโs
mission to empower girls through education and mentorship.
โWe want to break the cycle of poverty and abuse,โ Saydee
said, fresh from his return from China where he facilitated elements of the
program. โGirls must know their worth and make decisions that secure their
future.โ
Adding a global dimension to the event, 15 youth missionaries from Christ for the Nations (USA) participated in the workshop.
Their presence underscored a shared commitment to spiritual growth and youth
empowerment through gospel-based initiatives.
Established in 2021, Kathy Justice Girls Educational Liberia
has championed sex education, career planning, and youth leadership through
mentorship and awareness programs.
This latest workshop not only shared knowledge but also
inspired action. Participants pledged to become change ambassadors in their
schools and communities, spreading what they learned and encouraging others to
prioritize education over early marriage and unsafe sexual practices.
The initiative reflects broader global concerns. According
to the World Health Organization, over 12 million girls aged 15โ19, and 777,000
girls under 15, give birth each year in developing countries. Teenage mothers
face higher risks during childbirth, as well as long-term health and
socioeconomic challenges.
Kathy Justice Girls Educational Liberia continues to call on
the Liberian government, international partners, schools, and families to
support and scale up similar programs across the country.
ย The organization
maintains that investing in girls is not only a moral obligation but a
strategic foundation for national development.
