Liberia National Children’s Representatives Forum formerly Children’s Parliament on Wednesday, August 10, 2022, made recommendations to the United Nations in Liberia for continuous engagements with the Forum and to have the institution included in the current activities and programs of the UN.
The Forum is the only legitimate institution for Liberian children.
At a courtesy call meeting with the United Nations Resident Coordinator in Liberia, His Excellency, Neils Scott at the UN One House in Monrovia, the Speaker of the Children’s Forum Mr. Joel UK Gray on behalf of the Liberian children appreciated the works of the UN in Liberia since the eruption of the civil crisis and post-war rebuilding efforts, especially the Liberian children, who have suffered the worst impacts of the war.
During a media engagement, Mr. Gray informed newsmen of the congratulatory statement made to the office of the UN Resident Coordinator for leading immense efforts of the UN through its many organs working in Liberia to support the government of Liberia and civil society movements, as well as local communities.
While reiterating the sad reality of how the Forum has been excluded from the national budget, which according to him is impeding the efforts of the group leader for effective monitoring and robust advocacy for children issues across the country, an action he described as an affront and deliberate neglect of the only legislated national children body of the republic.
Meanwhile, he recommended to the UN through the office of Mr. Neils Scott to engage the Liberian government to support the National Children Representatives Forum to ensure space for young people by providing educational opportunities and employment.
Further revealing his recommendations made to the UN Resident Coordinator, the Children Forum Chief Executive Officer called on the Liberian government to make; free and compulsory primary education for children across Liberia in line with the Education Law ( Article 3(9.3).
The amendment of the 2011 Children’s law of Liberia; Inclusion in the National budget under the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection; Increasing the budget of the Ministry of Justice and the Gender Ministry as a means of enhancing protection for children in villages, communities, and towns across Liberia, he added.
Still on the recommendations, he further revealed that he called on the UN to prevail on political parties to stop using young people to get involved with violence to achieve their egocentric political gain.
“In my final comment, I condemn political parties using young people to get involved in ” violence”, and I urged the UN and the international community for immediate intervention with various political parties and politicians to desist from using children and young people to cause violence.”
He indicated that children were used to causing havoc during the dark days of Liberia as they ignorantly killed one another and destroyed the country two decades ago.
“The impacts have been indelible and we can’t ever go back to such experience”, the Children’s Representatives Forum Speaker emphasized further.
“I reiterated the gratitude of the Children Forum for the invitation and expressed our readiness to support his office’s efforts in protecting the children of Liberia and ensuring their well-being”, Mr. Gray said.
Reported by: G Bennie Bravo Johnson
