By Stephanie M. Duncan
The Initiative for Women and Youth Empowerment (IWYE) has trained journalists and media practitioners on family planning, contraceptive information and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), as part of efforts to improve public access to accurate information on reproductive health.
The training was held under the ACCESS FOR ALL Project – Phase 2, which seeks to promote equitable access to contraceptives and quality sexual and reproductive health services across Liberia.
The one-day engagement brought together media practitioners to strengthen their understanding of family planning and SRHR and equip them with the knowledge needed to produce accurate, responsible and informative content for the public.
The training also focused on effective messaging and content development, with discussions centered on reproductive health and rights, family planning and the safe and informed use of contraceptive methods.
Speaking during the engagement, IWYE Founder and Executive Director Musu Davis emphasized the important role of journalists in providing women, girls and young people with reliable information to make informed decisions about their health.
Davis said IWYE is committed to empowering women and young people through advocacy, capacity building, stakeholder engagement and community-based initiatives.
She said the ACCESS FOR ALL Project – Phase 2 is also intended to strengthen advocacy for increased access to quality and affordable contraceptive and sexual and reproductive health services, while supporting stakeholder engagement around Liberia’s FP2030 commitments.
According to Davis, access to accurate information and quality reproductive health services is an important development issue because it affects the well-being of women, girls, young people, families and communities.
She called for stronger government commitment to family planning and sexual and reproductive health, including increased financing for family planning within the Ministry of Health budget and improved access to quality contraceptive services for women and girls across the country.
Davis identified Access, Equity, Health, Rights and Empowerment as the five guiding principles of the ACCESS FOR ALL Project.
She said the principles are intended to support a Liberia where women, girls, young people and communities can obtain accurate reproductive health information and quality services without barriers, discrimination or stigma.
The IWYE Executive Director challenged journalists to use their platforms not only to report on reproductive health issues but also to promote informed public discussions and hold stakeholders accountable for commitments made to improve access to family planning services.
She noted that responsible reporting can help address misinformation, reduce stigma and increase public understanding of family planning and reproductive health.
“Let us use the power of the media to inform. Let us use information to empower. And let us use our collective voices to advocate for ACCESS FOR ALL,” Davis said.
The training forms part of IWYE’s broader efforts under the ACCESS FOR ALL Project to strengthen advocacy and public engagement on family planning, contraceptive access and sexual and reproductive health in Liberia.
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