By Bill W. Cooper
The Amplifying Rights Network (ARN) has held a momentous one-day consultative meeting with newly elected and reelected lawmakers on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in the country.
The historic gathering with both lawmakers from the House of Representatives and Liberian Senate, aimed to foster dialogue and collaboration between policymakers and the advocacy community, addressing critical issues surrounding SRHR in Liberia.
The Amplifying Rights Network (ARN) is a prominent advocacy organization committed to safeguarding Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) across the 15 counties of Liberia.
The ARN also orchestrated a meticulously planned agenda for the consultative meeting to comprehensively examine the current state of affairs regarding SRHR, as well as serve as an important vehicle for lawmakers to gain firsthand knowledge about the challenges faced by marginalized communities, and identify potential legislative remedies.
The day-long meeting, held at the Mamba Point Hotel in Monrovia, further provided a platform for lawmakers to engage with experts and individuals working directly in the field of SRHR, with an encouragement to see the need and pass the revised Public Health Law languishing at the Senate.
Additionally, with vibrant discussions and insightful exchanges, the event sought to enhance understanding, address misconceptions, and explore opportunities to advance the rights and well-being of individuals in relation to SRHR.
During the event, experts presented significant research findings, highlighting the pressing issues faced by different segments of society in accessing SRHR services across Liberia.
These findings further shed light on prevailing disparities and underscored the urgent need to address barriers to SRHR, including limited access to comprehensive sexual education, stigma surrounding reproductive health, and inadequate healthcare infrastructure.
The General Consultant at the Ministry of Health, Cllr. Tomik Vobah, said the consultative meeting also was intended to effectively promote dialogue by facilitating open and frank discussions between lawmakers and SRHR activists.
According to him, it also aimed at ensuring that stakeholders shared personal stories, testimonials, and insights, providing a deeper understanding of the multifaceted nature of SRHR and its impact on individuals’ lives.
These narratives, Cllr. Vobah maintained, humanized the issues at hand and compelled policymakers to reflect on their role in promoting the well-being and rights of marginalized populations.
Also making a remark during the meeting, UNFPA National Program Specialist, Maybe G. Livingstone, said the event provided an opportunity for lawmakers to familiarize themselves with best practices and successful legislative frameworks from other jurisdictions.
She added that the exchange of knowledge and expertise will further empower the lawmakers, equipping them with practical tools to promote effective policy reform and ensure the realization of SRHR for all.
For their parts, the lawmakers in attendance thanked the ARN, Ministry of Health, and other collaborating partners, for the meeting, commitment, and dedication to supporting them in their efforts to enact meaningful change regarding SRHR.
They added that by maintaining a sustained advocacy campaign and continuing to foster dialogue, it aspires to promote laws and policies that prioritize and protect the rights of all citizens, especially those belonging to marginalized and vulnerable communities.
The chair of the Amplifying Rights Network, Madam Naomi Solanke, said the engagement will continue in 2024, so as to build a relationship between the lawmakers, the Amplifying Rights Network, and their different constituencies.
Meanwhile, the day-long consultative meeting concluded with a series of targeted recommendations from the lawmakers, encapsulating the key outcomes of the discussions.
These recommendations encompassed a wide range of topics, from advocating for comprehensive sexual education in schools to addressing legal and societal barriers hindering access to safe and legal abortions, aimed to provide a comprehensive framework for legislative action that would bolster SRHR in Liberia.
