The National Children and Youth Advisory Board has stepped up its awareness, aimed at educating students and young on the danger of sexual exploitation, early marriage and threat of child abuse.
The awareness, which is sponsored by the Funds for Global Human Rights, is being implemented in collaboration with the Defense Children Liberia.
Over 2,400 students have benefited from the awareness campaign implemented by NCYA’s board in ten schools in Bomi, Lofa, Montserrado and Lofa Counties.
Speaking at one of the awareness programs held at the John Lewis United Methodist School on Weaver Street in Paynesville outside Monrovia recently, the National Chairperson of the board, Pauline Gartor, disclosed that the campaign will last for six months.
She advised the students to obtain from sex until they complete their academic endeavors, reject early marriage and remain studious in order to achieve their goals.
She also advised the students to be careful on accepting gifts from people who they do not know because some of these gifts have negative motives.
Miss Gartor explained that the board, which was established 2012, has been very critical against traditional practices that are harmful to children especially females.
“We are also encouraging you never to hide any incident of rape , force, marriage and engage in sexual relationship at the age of schooling,” she said.
“We have also embarked on the educating of community leaders of the collective need to cater to children and take leadership of the interest of children,” Miss Gartor added.
“We have also gone to your various communities purposely to educate your leaders for us to form partnership in advocating for you and for us to jointly tackle the issue of sexual exploitation and abuse.”
During the campaign, some of the students were seen displaying banners with the inscriptions: “Stop Sexual Abuse and Exploitation,” “Protect the Children because they are our future,”