Activists and development partners in Liberia have called for the formulation of non-discrimination policy to boost campaigns addressing Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) issues.
The call was made at a policy dialogue organised by Liberian Initiative for the Promotion of Rights, Identity, Diversity, and Equality (LIPRIDE).
The dialogue, with support from ActionAid Sweden, was carried out in response to a social impact audit report on progress of SRHR services in Montserrado, Margibi, Grand Bassa and Bong counties.
Women of childbearing age make up approximately 23 percent of Liberia’s 3.5 million population, data from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) shows.
The country’s population growth rate is estimated at 2.1 percent with a total fertility rate of 4.6 percent and teenage pregnancy rate of 38 percent.
It is understood that complications during pregnancy and childbirth remain the leading causes of death and disability among women of reproductive age.
LIPRIDE Coordinator, Maxwell Mambo, said that the dialogue was aimed at getting partners’ opinion on the social audit report and recommendation with regard to SRHR issues.
Maxwell noted that the survey report was a tool to help prepare advocacy engagements with policymakers or actors to effect change around issues relating to key populations in Liberia.
The social audit report, among other things, recommended training of key stakeholders, including court officers, officers of the Liberia National Police (LNP) on human rights; the provision of full SRHR packages at all facilities, and the enactment of laws that protect all irrespective of sexual orientation.
Panelists during the dialogue stated that more needed to be done in achieving progress for SRHR issues, particularly pointing to the report.
The panelists mentioned that law enforcement officers, especially the police, must continuously discharge their duties void of partiality or sexuality.
Source: FrontPage Africa
Photo source: Photo RNW.org
