The Executive Director of the National Coalition of Civil Society Organizations of Liberia (NACCSOL) said he wants budgetary support for family planning to prevent teenage pregnancy in Liberia.
According to Director Benjamin Tarnue, the lack of adequate budgetary support for sexual and reproductive health awareness among teenagers in rural parts of the country is a problem; as a result, teenage pregnancy is alarming in the nation.
Director Tarnue made the statement Monday at a one-day forum for more than 40 civil society organizations organized by NACCSOL in Monrovia.
He indicated that NACCSOL has been advocating for increased support for sexual and reproductive health, and the right of women and adolescent girls to have access to quality and affordable family planning services.
He explained that NACCSOL has provided training for 200 community leaders, CSOs, CBOs, local authorities, which have benefited from four project inceptions from town hall meetings.
Director Tarnue disclosed that NACCSOL was able to train and establish 40 communities’ leadership structures, as well as 40 schools along with 400 students to create awareness on teenage pregnancy in rural Liberia.
According to him, no society can develop if children are giving birth to children, noting that teenage pregnancy undermines the development and potential of the girl child.
He underscored the need for the Legislature to increase budgetary support for family planning financing across the country.
According to Director Tarnue, children under the age of 14 are giving birth in some rural areas in Liberia, adding that creating awareness on sexual and reproductive health in rural areas will go a long way in helping to curtail this problem.
Meanwhile, participants at the forum expressed thanks and appreciation to the organizer, and hoped that government will pay attention to teenage pregnancy in Liberia.
They noted that if girl children are not giving the opportunity to develop their potential it will be difficult for them to make significant contributions towards the growth and development of the nation.
They stated that parents should be mindful of their girl children, especially when their reach teen stages, and explain to them the sexual and reproductive health component of their bodies to prevent pregnancy.