By Joyclyn Wea
MONROVIA, Liberia — The Amplifying Rights Network announced the launch of Liberia’s second National Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights Conference, scheduled for October 8-10, 2025, in Monrovia. The three-day event will bring together policymakers, healthcare providers, youth organizations, and international development partners under the theme “Breaking the Barriers, Promoting Access to SRHR for All in Liberia.”
The conference addresses critical health challenges facing the West African nation, where nearly 60 percent of the population is under 25 years old and maternal mortality rates rank among the highest globally. The event will focus particularly on marginalized communities, including adolescents, persons with disabilities, and rural populations.
“This high-level convening will serve as a national platform to assess progress, identify persisting gaps, and propose practical, right-based approaches to advancing SRHR in Liberia,” said Maxwell W. Momboe, a steering committee member of the Amplifying Rights Network, during a press conference announcing the event.
The conference will feature technical plenaries, breakout workgroups, interactive exhibitions, and community narratives from across Liberia. Organizers said the format ensures policy discussions are informed by the lived experiences of those most affected by sexual and reproductive health challenges.
Nowai Ida Kaiser, co-chair of the Amplifying Rights Network, emphasized the collaborative nature of the initiative. The network has partnered with national and international allies to organize the event.
The announcement comes as Liberia grapples with ongoing debates over public health legislation. Hawa Wilson from the Paramount Young Women Initiative, a network member, described the organization’s extensive work with stakeholders to build support for a public health bill that has faced legislative challenges.
“The network has been able to work extensively with different stakeholders in terms of building allies at the lower house,” Wilson said. She noted that the bill passed the lower house but has not progressed through the upper house of parliament.
The upcoming conference follows a successful inaugural event held in 2023, which organizers said increased awareness of sexual and reproductive health issues across the country. The first conference included participants from multiple counties and featured government officials, including the then-Vice President.
Network representatives indicated they continue mapping key stakeholders and building alliances, particularly as new political leadership emerges following recent political transitions.
The conference will include lawmakers and committee chairs focused on health and education issues. Organizers emphasized that the event serves not only advocacy groups but all Liberians, as policy implementation affects entire communities and healthcare systems.
Network representatives highlighted their youth advocacy component and social media strategy, noting that young people will lead visibility efforts given their significant representation in Liberia’s population. The organization plans to leverage social media platforms to ensure broader engagement beyond the physical conference.
The event will address persistent challenges including high rates of sexual violence and inadequate implementation of existing laws. Representatives cited recent incidents, including a school principal accused of rape who remains at large, as examples of ongoing enforcement gaps despite existing legislation like the domestic violence law.
Registration for the conference will be free, with both in-person and online participation options available. The network plans to distribute registration forms across counties and online platforms. Details about speakers, agenda items, and engagement opportunities will be announced on the network’s website and social media platforms.
The conference, network members said, represents part of broader efforts to strengthen Liberia’s healthcare systems and advance reproductive rights across the country’s diverse communities.
