Liberia
Liberia is a small West African country with about 4 million inhabitants. RFSU supports the Liberian movement for sexual and reproductive health and rights.
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In more recent decades, Liberia has experienced both civil war and Ebola outbreaks but is now recovering. Close to 40% of the country's population are adolescents and youths aged 10-24.
Liberia still does not have a law against female genital mutilation, and four out of ten women live with the consequences. Despite growing opposition to the procedure, it has been difficult to push for change.
The maternal mortality ratio is among the highest in the world, largely due to unsafe abortions. Abortion is only permitted under certain circumstances, which makes it very hard to access a safe abortion.
LGBTQ people often need to hide their sexual identity to avoid stigma and discrimination. There are no laws to protect the rights of LGBTQ persons and sexual acts between men are prohibited.
RFSU in Liberia
In 2022, RFSU established its local office to support the Liberian movement for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR). RFSU works closely with local stakeholders, providing training, managing local grants, and serving as an advocacy secretariat to drive change.
Amplify Rights Network
Ten civil society organisations in the Amplify Rights Network have combined forces to advocate for SRHR. RFSU coordinates this work. The organisations bring diverse perspectives to the network, like disability rights, youth representation, HIV, LGBTQ+ rights, and women's participation. In 2023, ARN arranged the country's first SRHR conference with 700 participants, including the former vice president, the UN's special rapporteur on health, and a group of young activists from civil society.
Partner organisations in Liberia
The Community Healthcare Initiative (CHI)
CHI engages in advocacy work and operates a clinic. Additionally, a mobile clinic visits neighbouring villages to reach vulnerable groups. With RFSU funding, CHI offers sexuality education in the villages and raises awareness of safe abortions. CHI also advocates for lawmakers to be more aware of menstrual health. Today, the high taxes make it hard to access sanitary pads.
West Point Women for Health and Development organization (WPWHDO)
WPWHDO operates in one of Liberia's poorest and most densely populated areas, West Point. WPWHDO's primary focus is addressing issues related to sexual and gender-based violence. With funding from RFSU, the organisation works on sexuality education, female genital mutilation, and abortion-related issues in the local communities.
Rural Women and Girls Rights Foundation (RWGRF)
RWGRF is a grassroots organisation operating in Bong County, a rural area in the north of Liberia. With funding from RFSU, they conduct awareness-raising activities on sexuality education, female genital mutilation, and abortion.
