-In Liberia
screenshotof recent video of kids at Kogar’s campaign rally in Nimba
By Joyclyn Wea
MONROVIA, Liberia — A concerning trend has emerged in Liberia’s recent elections: the increasing visibility of uniformed schoolchildren at political campaign events when they should be in classrooms.
During the recent Nimba County senatorial by-election, observers documented multiple instances of children in school uniforms being pulled into campaign activities. In one widely circulated social media video, children were seen rushing to greet now Senator Samuel Kogar while chanting “PYJ” — the initials of a prominent
political figure in the region.
“What we’re witnessing is a clear violation of both Liberian law and international protocols on children’s rights,” said Atty Facia Harris, who presented findings for the Project Accountable Safe Space Women’s Accountability Room (PASSWAR), a coalition of women’s organizations monitoring election-related issues. “Children have the right to uninterrupted education.”
The 2011 Children’s Law of Liberia explicitly protects children’s right to education and shields them from exploitation. Article III of the law emphasizes that children should not be subjected to activities that interfere with their education or well-being.
“Engaging children in political activities during school hours directly contravenes provisions ensuring children must be in school during designated hours,” Harris noted.
Liberia, a signatory to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, has committed to protecting children from exploitation and ensuring their right to education under Articles 28 and 32 of the convention. Yet the practice of involving schoolchildren in campaign events appears to be growing.
PASSWAR’s report calls on Liberia’s Education Ministry to “ensure that children are exempt from participating in election campaigns” and recommends that the ministry collaborate with the National Elections Commission (NEC) on developing clearer policies regarding political activities near schools.
The phenomenon reflects broader concerns about electoral integrity in Liberia. While PASSWAR noted that the NEC’s conduct of the Nimba County by-election showed “immense progress relating to order,” the report highlighted persistent issues, including misinformation spreading on social media platforms.
“False information targeted candidates and electoral processes, aiming to sway public opinion and disrupt voter confidence,” the report stated. Social media monitoring revealed “a barrage of hate messages against women and gender equality” during the campaign period.
Civil society organizations attempted to counter these trends through initiatives like the “Ganta Declaration,” which emphasized peaceful campaigning and discouraged hate speech.
The involvement of children in political campaigns represents what some observers describe as a troubling intersection of education and politics in a country still working to strengthen its democratic institutions following years of civil conflict.
PASSWAR, which comprises organizations including the African Women Leadership Network, Organization for Women and Children, and the Women’s NGO Secretariat of Liberia, has urged the NEC to establish a social media monitoring unit to track election-related
misinformation and respond promptly.
“More needs to be done to address the structural barriers that are preventing gender equality and women’s political participation,” the coalition emphasized, suggesting that the exploitation of children in campaigns may be symptomatic of broader democratic deficits requiring sustained attention.
