Monrovia-October 16,2025: In a vibrant celebration filled with music, poetry, and powerful speeches, Plan International Liberia, in partnership with the Embassy of Sweden, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection and other partners, marked the International Day of the Girl Child under the global theme “The Girl I Am, The Change I Lead.”
Plan International Liberia youth engagement team has been working with several girls and young women organizations over the last few weeks to organize activities marking celebration of the 2025 IDG, including usual Girls Takeover of at selected offices.
The IDG was climaxed on Tuesday, 14 October, 2025, with a formal program including a parade of girls and Plan staff. At the end of the parade, participants assembled at the Invincible Park for the concluding sessions which attracted government representatives, diplomats, youth leaders, and community advocates who came to amplify the voices of girls leading change in their communities.
During opening remarks, Plan International Liberia Country Director, Madam Miriam Murray reaffirmed the organization’s global and local commitment to advancing girls’ rights and ending harmful practices such as early marriage.
“If I could count on any institution that has been steadfast, committed, and consistent, it’s the Swedish Embassy,” she stated. “We will continue to advocate alongside others so that girls’ voices are heard and their rights are protected.”
Madam Murray lauded the girls for their efforts in standing up on behalf of Girls of Liberia and acknowledged the continued interests and support of the Embassy of Sweden over the years.
“We want to stand together to celebrate our resilience and our steadfastness in the fight. We stand on the solidarity and strength in the fight for rights and protection of the future of Liberia, the girls. In partnership and great collaboration with all actors, these are key actors, that we should call on, that we should work with, that we should march with, that we should raise our voice with to call on government, advocating on the issues that affect our girls, especially Child Marriage, the big one sitting like an elephant in the room”
Madam Murray averred.
The Plan International Liberia CD furthered that Plan International Liberia remains committed to sustaining the fight for and with girls and young women of Liberia, working alongside all actors in advocacies and with one message, reaching out to government, donors, to communities, to parents and to traditional leaders.
“Today, we are doing this in one hour, but that one hour represents one year, two years, and forever, until things change in the positive and things change in the right direction to save our girls and the future of Liberia”
She Emphasized.
Ending her remark, Madam Murray highlighted the role of the media in dissemination of information regarding Child Marriage and other issues affecting girls and young women throughout the length and breadth of Liberia, so that those who are not able to attend events like this will still read on social media and see what commitment they can make. She thanked the girls for organizing the IDG event and urged them to continue the push until they see the change they desired.
Also speaking, the Swedish Ambassador Karl Bakius praised Liberian girls for their courage and leadership.
“Empowering girls and women is not just the right thing to do — it’s the smart thing to do,” the ambassador said. “No girl should be married before the age of 18, and no one should be married against their will. We are proud to stand with Liberia in this fight.”
He stated.
The Swedish Chargé d’ affairs recalled Liberia’s history-making election of Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as Africa’s first female president, calling it “a powerful reminder that traditions can change.”
Calls for Action and Legal Reform.
The Keynote Speaker for the occasion, Attorney Vivian Doe, Senior Manager at the Office for the Establishment of the War and Economic Crimes Court, called early marriage a “violation of human rights” and urged government action to harmonize customary and statutory laws.
“Education is the most powerful weapon we have to fight early marriage,” Doe said. “When girls stay in school, they are more likely to lead, earn more, and build healthy families. It is time for us to say enough is enough.”
In a petition presented bya youth representatives from YAP and FEG-A 5 for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, the young people urged the Government of Liberia to strengthen enforcement of child protection laws and expand education programs.
“We, the young people of Liberia, pledge to stand against early marriage and speak up for the protection of every child,”
The petition read.
Girls Takeover Reflections
The event also featured inspiring reflections from young women who recently took over leadership positions as part of Plan International Liberia’s supported “Girls Takeover” event, a part of the celebration of the IDG. Gleyson Sion, who served as Country Director for the day at Plan International LIberia, shared how the experience motivated her.
“You don’t wait for people to push you — you take the lead, and others will follow,” she recalled being told by her mentor.
In Separate remarks Representatives from Medica Liberia, the Ministry of Gender, and the Liberia National Children’s Representative Forum reaffirmed their dedication to protecting girls’ rights.
As the program ended, one message echoed through the hall— that the fight to end child marriage and empower girls is not over, but the next generation is ready to lead it.
The IDG program followed Girls Takeover of key offices in Plan International Liberia and other organizations and businesses around Monrovia. The exercises afford girls opportunity to experience leadership and decision making for a day, feel the work environment and get inspired to translate those experiences into future leadership and decision-making positions. The takeovers also afford girls to use these spaces to advocate and raise their voices on the issues that affect girls and young women.
