Africa-Press – Liberia. Representatives of the Children Representative Forum (CRF), duty bearers from key Ministries, Agencies and Commissions (MACs), civil society organizations, and the Independent National Commission on Human Rights (INCHR), with support from UNICEF Liberia, have concluded a three-day national dialogue aimed at strengthening the protection and promotion of children’s rights in Liberia.
The dialogue—held from 17–19 November 2025 at the Murex Plaza in Monrovia—sought to deepen understanding of duty bearers’ roles in safeguarding children, build the capacity of the Children Representative Forum, and enhance Liberia’s implementation, monitoring, and reporting obligations under the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC).
Over the three days, participants engaged in interactive sessions that highlighted both progress and persisting challenges affecting children nationwide. Discussions centered on key issues such as juvenile justice, conditions of children in foster and caregivers’ homes, violence against children, child labor, early and forced marriage, and inadequate protection mechanisms.
Stakeholders also underscored the importance of state-party reporting, shadow/alternative reporting by civil society, and the oversight role of national human rights institutions. Major gaps were identified in the implementation of the juvenile diversion program, along with the lack of specialized training for judges, magistrates and law enforcement personnel on child-related issues. Participants further pointed to shortcomings in the Children’s Law of 2011 and stressed the need for harmonization between statutory and customary laws, especially regarding early marriage.
A major highlight of the dialogue was a peer-exchange forum between former and current CRF leadership, conducted in a hybrid format to accommodate past leaders residing in the diaspora.
At the close of the deliberations, duty bearers, civil society actors, the INCHR and the CRF agreed on a series of priority actions for the coming year, including scaling up awareness campaigns—especially in rural communities—on sexual violence, child labor, early marriage and related issues; supporting the revision of the Children’s Law of 2011 and identifying gaps for amendment; conducting regular engagements and capacity-building for judges and magistrates on juvenile justice, with emphasis on children detained in prison facilities; mandating the INCHR to advocate for the establishment of juvenile reformatory centers to prevent the continued exposure of juveniles to harsh prison conditions; and urging the INCHR to conduct a public inquiry into the status of children’s rights in Liberia.
They also called for the strengthening a robust Child Protection Unit within the INCHR to monitor policies, programs and legislation affecting children, ensuring alignment with international standards; prioritizing the rights of children living with disabilities who face multiple forms of discrimination; developing a national CRC implementation plan with clear targets, roles and timelines; Using school curricula and the media as tools for promoting children’s rights; and implementing nationwide programs to eliminate the worst forms of child labor.
Participants applauded the openness demonstrated by duty bearers throughout the engagements, and commended the INCHR—particularly its Chairperson, Cllr. T. Dempster Brown—for convening and fully participating in the sessions. They also praised the Children Representative Forum for its active representation and contributions.
Stakeholders acknowledged UNICEF’s longstanding support to the Government of Liberia in advancing children’s rights, noting significant improvements over the years. They, however, appealed for continued and strengthened support to ensure national institutions remain fully equipped to carry out their obligations under the CRC.
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