Farmington, Margibi County – Former Vice President Jewel Howard Taylor asserts that the outcomes of the ‘2024 West African Adolescent Girls Summit’ policy framework must not only inspire but also compel governments across the region to decisively prioritize education, health, well-being, and innovation spaces for adolescent girls.
By Jaheim T. Tumu
Madam Taylor, delivering a statement on behalf of the First Lady of Liberia, Madam Kartumu Boakai, stressed the significance for young minds from across the sub-region to convene, exchange insights, voice their challenges, advocate for their rights, and ensure an inclusive, equitable, and secure future.
The ‘2024 West African Adolescent Girls Summit’ marks the second edition, following the inaugural summit in 2022. The first edition provided a platform for adolescents to be bold, believe in themselves collectively, advocate, and hold governments accountable.
The 2024 Summit, which brings together adolescent girls from Liberia, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Cote D’Ivoire, and Nigeria, aims to assess achievements and facilitate direct communication between stakeholders and adolescents through intergenerational and policy dialogues.
Conversations will focus on ensuring access to quality education, nutrition, health services, and the right skills for economic empowerment, as well as increasing participation in the national agenda. The platform aims to protect adolescent girls’ bodies from violence and abuse and fulfill their potential without threats to their well-being.
Former Vice President Taylor emphasized that the summit is designed to empower young voices to share experiences and perspectives on issues pertinent to adults and youth. It aims to provide adolescents with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to take charge of their lives and achieve their potential.
She stated, “The well-being, education, and holistic development of adolescents are critical to the advancement of any society and require unwavering protection and support against all threats.”
Madam Taylor highlighted the challenges faced by adolescents and young people, including socio-economic barriers, teenage pregnancy, gender-based violence, early marriage, and harmful cultural practices.
She called for governments to create a safe environment for young people to grow and emphasized the importance of providing adolescents with the tools to understand their identity, aspirations, and risks.
Addressing the summit, UNFPA representative Ms. Bidisha Pillai reiterated the institution’s commitment to preventing maternal deaths and urged adolescent girls to reject motherhood unless necessary. She emphasized the importance of investing in leadership to create a transformed world.
Ms. Pillai stated, “Investing in your leadership will give us the transformed world that we want to see.”