-Expresses concern about the status of Liberia’s Educational Sector in the report
On the occasion marking the launch of state of the world population report 2019 in Monrovia, Liberia’s Vice President Chief Dr. Jewel Howard-Taylor has expressed serious concern about the status of the country’s educational sector as projected in the report.
The report indicates that between the ages 10- 24 years, 72% males and 64% females are literate.
”This calls for a more robust gender equality regime needed now more than ever before. We; both Government and our International Partners and Friend; must begin to look at specific plans which will enable us to take a more critical look at the entire educational system of Liberia; inculcate a new EDUCATIONAL REGIME; find new sources of funding for higher levels of investment in education,” VP Howard-Taylor stressed in her speech delivered Thursday, May 30, 2019, at the launch of the State of the World Population Report 2019 held at the Monrovia City Hall.
She therefore proffered the creation of an enlightened population, which she believes, is a sine qua non to the growth and development of a nation state.
“The idea of education being the primary pillar for growth and development is not a new one referencing a quote from the African Statesman and Icon, Madiba Nelson Mandela which states: “EDUCATION IS THE MOST POWERFUL WEAPON WHICH YOU CAN USE TO CHANGE THE WORLD,” a press release from the VP’s office quotes her as saying.
The launch of the report which coincided with the National celebration of the International conference on Population and Development (ICPD) @25 and the United Nations Population Fund @ 50, was held under the theme; “Unfinished Business, the pursuit of Right and choices for all in Liberia”
The report further states that Liberia’s Health Sector as a country is still seriously challenged, indicating that infant and maternal mortality rates are still high and that 31% of girls between the ages of 15-19 years’ experience Teenage Pregnancy.
These statistics according to the Liberian Vice President, who is gender advocate, are quite disturbing, lending one to believe that in spite of all that has been done over the years to reduce these numbers; that much, much more need to be done.
“Permit me to include, that I am further disturbed that the UNFPA Liberian section of the report did not include statistics on Sexual and Gender based Violence. If the true agenda of UNFPA is RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES FOR PROPER DECISION MAKING FOR WOMEN, GIRLS AND FAMILIES; then a key underlying factor which undermines that very goal is the very high incidence of Sexual and Gender Based Violence across our National landscape; which can no longer be ignored. It is now reaching a menace proportion”, VP Howard-Taylor emphasized.
She expressed the hope that the release of the 2019 UNFPA report will give the government and its partners, the basis to further strengthen their engagements and double up at points urgently needed while committing that Government’s Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) offers the best developmental framework which can be used to move Liberia forward.
Meanwhile, VP Howard-Taylor on behalf of His Excellency President, Dr. George Manneh Weah, and the Government of Liberia has Officially Launched the 2019 State of the World Population Report .