By: G. Bennie Bravo Johnson, I
Six high school students in Monrovia have launched a bold awareness campaign aimed at addressing the growing challenge of teenage pregnancy in Liberia, following the release of a new study they conducted in Montserrado County.
The students, operating under the banner of the Sankofa Sisterhood Hub, describe teenage pregnancy as an escalating social concern that requires urgent national attention. They are calling for increased awareness, structured support systems, and a shift away from stigma and judgment toward compassion and empowerment for teenage mothers.
The study, carried out at a local community health facility, revealed troubling statistics. Of 30 pregnant women who sought routine medical services during the research period, 12 were teenagers between the ages of 13 and 16. The findings underscore what the students consider a critical need for intervention at both community and national levels. According to the young researchers, the rise in teenage pregnancies is being fueled by multiple factors, including poverty, inadequate parental supervision, peer pressure, harmful cultural practices, limited access to sexual and reproductive health education, and exposure to sexual content linked to overcrowded living conditions.
In response, the group has outlined several practical and solution-driven recommendations. First, they advocate for expanded public awareness campaigns and comprehensive sexual and reproductive health education, including information on contraception and the risks associated with early pregnancy.
They also propose the creation of special academic pathways and vocational training programs tailored to pregnant teenagers and young mothers to prevent school dropouts and provide employable skills. Additionally, the students are encouraging scholarship opportunities, such as the United World Scholarship Program, to ensure that pregnancy does not permanently disrupt a girl’s educational journey.
The initiative is organized by The Saye-Maye Cole Legacy – Monrovia, which represents the success of the United World Colleges (UWC) movement in Liberia.
The organization focuses on empowering young people through education, leadership development, and social transformation. Through this platform, the Sankofa Sisterhood Hub is amplifying youth voices in national conversations around gender, health, and education.
Drawing inspiration from the word “Sankofa,” which means “to learn from the past,” the group says its mission is rooted in understanding the underlying causes of teenage pregnancy and promoting forward-looking solutions. By applying this philosophy, the students aim to foster dignity, hope, and opportunity for teenage mothers and their children.
The six student researchers—Musulyn A. Bestman, Princess Caldwell, Frances Caldwell, Theophilus Est, Kuleemah Rogers, and Sensie M. T. Kiawu—represent several leading secondary institutions in Liberia, including the College of West Africa, Alexander B. Cummings Model Science and Technology School, Levi C. Williams High School, and Joseph Jenkins Roberts United Methodist School.
United in purpose, their collective message is clear: teenage pregnancy should not define a girl’s future. With the right awareness, education, and support systems in place, young mothers can still achieve purpose, progress, and success.
