In many developing countries, including Liberia, women continue to face significant barriers to obtaining a proper education, directly impacting not only their lives but also the communities around them. Shockingly, only 37 percent of young women in Liberia are literate, compared to a literacy rate of 74 percent for young men (UNICEF, 200).
Cultural norms further compound this issue, as parents often perceive the benefits of girl education as something that materializes only in the distant future and primarily for the families they marry into. Unfortunately, the costs associated with educating girls fall squarely on the parents in the present, leading to a skewed decision-making process. A recent study by Herz and Sperling (200) highlights that the choice of whether to send children to school or not is often influenced by the financial burden it imposes on families, making it challenging for poor parents to sustain their daughters’ education.
Moreover, traditional beliefs and societal expectations often lead parents to keeping their girls at home, relegating them to domestic roles as caregivers and future homemakers. The economic strain on families, coupled with ingrained cultural perspectives, results into the unfortunate sidelining of girls from educational opportunities.
Amidst these challenges, a beacon of hope emerges from Grand Cape Mount County, where the Interfaith Peacemaker Team (IP Team) of the Youth Alliance for Economic Empowerment, led by Varfee Sheriff, has been actively working to transform the educational landscape. Recognizing the difficulties faced by girls in continuing their education, especially in impoverished regions bound by cultural norms, the IP Team has taken proactive measures.
Over the past few months, the team has conducted educational campaigns emphasizing the importance of girl education and encouraging their enrollment or continued pursuit of learning. Addressing financial constraints creatively, the IP Team has engaged in regular meetings and contributing monthly dues to empower girls financially. The funds raised have been utilized to establish mini-businesses, enabling the girls to support themselves while attending school. The remarkable outcome of this initiative is the successful reintegration of six girls who are now continuing their education, with one graduating from secondary school in the last academic year (2023).
This transformational story in Liberia underscores the urgent need to prioritize initiatives that break down barriers to girl education. Two major obstacles identified are cultural beliefs and poverty, which the Youth Alliance for Economic Empowerment is actively addressing. With over 4,500 peacemakers trained globally and organized into 226 IP Teams, OMNIA’s impact is resonating in countries like Bangladesh, Indonesia, Liberia, Nigeria, Sri Lanka, Togo, Kenya and Uganda.
In Liberia alone, 29 Interfaith Peacemaker Teams, comprised of dedicated religious and civic leaders, operate in three counties: Bomi, Grand Cape Mount and Montserrado. Their unwavering dedication and strategic actions demonstrate the potential for positive change within communities, offering a hopeful glimpse into a future where educational opportunities for girls are no longer stifled by cultural norms and economic constraints.