Gender Official Reaffirms Liberia’s Commitment To Restoring Street Children Dignity

By Decontee M. Wesseh

The Deputy Minister for Children and Social Protection at the Ministry of Gender, and head of the Liberian delegation on the South-South Exchange visit to Sierra Leone, Madam Garmai Tokpah has reaffirmed Liberia's dedication to restoring the dignity of children in street situations, as she highlighted President Boakai's strong commitment to supporting the Ministry's efforts in addressing conditions that pose challenges to rescuing children from the streets.

A statement from the Gender Ministry dated September 4, 2024 quoted Madam Togba, who headed the Liberian delegation to Sierra Leone disclosing that the delegation was engaged in productive discussions with officials from the Ministry of Gender and Children's Affairs in Freetown, Sierra Leone, noting that the meeting focused on shared concerns and strategies for enhancing the welfare of children, particularly those living in street situations.

She expressed appreciation for the experience-sharing opportunity with her Sierra Leonean counterparts, pledging to carefully consider the valuable insights and information gathered during the discussions.

Madam Tokpah reiterated that the launch of the Street Child Project titled “Support A Child, Save The Future” is a testament to Liberia’s unwavering commitment to addressing the plight of children in street situations.

She emphasized that the initiative reflects the government's dedication to creating a safer and more supportive environment for all children, ensuring that every child has access to education, protection, and the opportunity to thrive.

The Deputy Gender boss further highlighted that the project aligns with national and international efforts to safeguard children's rights, which according to her is a crucial step towards breaking the cycle of poverty, neglect, and exploitation faced by children living on the streets.

Minister Tokpah called for collective action from all stakeholders, including regional partners so as to ultimately secure a brighter future for the next generation.

For his part, UNICEF’s lead-Representative on the delegation, Sam K. Mensah, reiterated that the partnership seeks to provide a healthier space and vibrant community for children.

He then applauded the Sierra Leonean Ministry of Gender, and the Children Forum Network of Sierra Leone for the warm reception as well as their willingness to share their experiences, pointing out that UNICEF is very proud to support the South-South Exchange program.

In a further demonstration of commitment to collaborative efforts, the Liberia National Children Representative Forum and the Children's Forum Network of Sierra Leone have already held discussions on several key practices, strategies, and lessons learned in child rights advocacy.

The Liberian delegation continued its engagement in Freetown with courtesy visits to key child-focused organizations, including PLAN International, Save the Children Sierra Leone, UNICEF, and the National Commission of Children (NCC) Sierra Leone, to further strengthen collaboration and explore effective ways to address the challenges facing children in street situations in both countries.

Additionally, the delegation met with the Liberian Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Nynemah Lavela Von Ballmoos, where they received a heartfelt reception from the Liberian Ambassador and her team.

The South-South Exchange visit to Sierra Leone runs from September 3-7 2024, and is organized in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender and Children's Affairs (MGCA) of Sierra Leone, with support from UNICEF Liberia and UNICEF Sierra Leone.

The initiative is part of the commitments made during the Day of the African Child (DAC) celebrations, with the overarching goal of strengthening child rights advocacy in both countries.

The visit offers an important opportunity for the children of Liberia and Sierra Leone to engage in meaningful dialogue, share experiences, and learn from each other.