J.13 Liberian National Youth Policy-20.9.2019.docx

GOVERNMENT OF THE REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY AND ACTION PLAN

2019-2023

Ministry of Youth and Sports

Policy Theme: “Accelerating Youth Participation through Policy Formulation”

FORWARD

After a broad-based country-wide consultative process, we are pleased to conclude and present the National Youth Policy and Action Plan 2019-2023. In the wake of the continuous multi-faceted and daunting challenges with which our youth are faced in Liberia, this document is a comprehensive policy that serves as a point of convergence for all actors within the youth sector.

As our Pro-Poor Agenda for Prosperity and Development (PAPD) asserts, the National Youth Policy recognizes that given our large youth population, we can only benefit from a “demographic dividend” if we properly harness and marshal the energies of our young people and provide them the skills, employment and other opportunities that are needed to enable them contribute to the sustenance of peace and our economic development. Considering the myriad of challenges faced by youth, the policy proposes guidelines and strategies that can be employed to make our youth more productive citizens and enhance their participation in national affair.

Many years since the end of our civil conflict, our nation remains fragile. When used as a guide and implemented, this National Youth Policy and Action plan is a critical tool for promoting peace, enhancing social cohesion and setting the foundation of this country on the path of strong and inclusive development.

In order to achieve the objectives of the Plan, I entreat all of us, as actors serving our youth population, to hold each other accountable for seeing this policy implemented.

We are grateful to all who contributed to the formulation of this National Youth Policy and Action Plan document.

Sincerely, D. Zeogar Wilson M I N I S T E R

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

FLY, LINSU, and MRUYP This revised National Youth Policy (NYP) and Action Plan was made possible with funding from the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the United Nations Children Fund (UNICEF) through the Ministry of Youth and Sports (MoYS). The support received for the revision exercise has demonstrated the commitment of UNFPA and UNICEF in responding to the needs of youths in Liberia.

The Ministry of Youth and Sports working with the Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY) and other youth organizations in the country ensured that the review process was youth centered and youth driven. The process started with the hiring of an International consultant by the UNFPA to work together with the MoYS in producing a document that complies with international best practices and also reflects the views and aspirations of the youth of Liberia.

The process was an exhaustive exercise with four regional youth consultation meetings covering the fifteen Counties of Liberia. Each regional consultation was followed by a plenary session that allowed different thematic groups to provide inputs to the views of the other groups. This was followed by a national validation workshop to present, discuss and gather inputs from national stakeholders.

Special thanks go to His Excellency the President of the Republic of Liberia, George M. Weah, for his commitment and support for this policy revision process. The support given by the Minister of Youth and Sports, Mr. D. Zeogar Wilson and his team at the ministry, to the entire process is also highly appreciated. The contributions of the Deputy Minister and Assistant Minister, together with their technical staff throughout the review process are invaluable.

The youth groups and their leaders, including those of FLY, LINSU, and MRUYP, are highly commended for their maturity, good behavior and commitment during the entire review process.

The commitment shown, as well as the leadership provided by the International Consultant, Dr. Patrick Orotin, during the entire review process is particularly commendable. The consultant has worked to ensure that the 2019-2023 Liberia National Youth Policy conforms to global best practices and addresses the hopes and aspirations of Liberian youth.

Once again, the adolescents and young people of Liberia appreciate the support of the Resident Representative of the UNFPA, Dr. Bannet Ndyanabangi, and his staff for their support to the policy review process.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. POLICY CONTEXT

Liberia has a population of approximately 4.6 million people, and an average population growth of about 2.5 percent. Liberia’s growing population is young and increasingly urban, with almost half of the population in urban centers. The age structure of the country presents a very youthful population with about 63 percent below 25 years and 79 percent below 36 years (LISGIS, 2011). The levels of poverty among the youths are high, and the country is faced with a number of critical challenges in the youth sector. Key amongst them is youth unemployment coupled with the lack of employable skills. Even those who are qualified to find a job, face a great challenge in terms of finding and maintaining work. HIV/AIDS prevalence among the youth is also on the increase; with the 15-24 years age group, a dominant group in the society, bearing the greatest effect of the epidemic.

In spite of these challenges, Liberia’s youth have the potential to be the most powerful agents of change. In order to assist the country attain the Pro-poor Agenda (2018-2023) and Liberia Rising 2030 (Achieving Middle Income Status by 2030), the Government needs to draw on the strengths and assets of the vast population of the young people in the country. Harnessing the energy and creativity of this large youth population and ensuring that they are directed towards reconciliation, sustained peace, and national development will determine Liberia’s future. This will require concentrated and holistic attention and investment, addressing the lack of educational opportunities, lack of access to health services – particularly sexual and reproductive and mental health, limited livelihood and job opportunities, and security risks they face through daily life in an impoverished state.

The Liberia National Youth Policy recognizes the broader policy context in which it has been formulated and shall operate. This policy context is guided largely by other national policies in the country and it is also reflective of international programmes and conventions. The policy emphasizes access to basic needs, creating the conditions for inclusion so that youth are at the forefront of political and civic engagement and integrated into the decision-making structures and processes in a meaningful way at all levels of society. Building the capacity of youth and enabling their development and self-esteem will enhance their ability to act as agents of change and leaders of national transformation that Liberia needs. It is against this background that the revision of the National Youth Policy & Action Plan (2012-2017) was commissioned by Liberia Government Ministry of Youth and Sports. The revision process involved nation-wide consultations with youth organizations and networks, government, as well as development partners. The current National Youth Policy (2019-2023) is another step towards gaining the authority and increasing the influence of the Government and development partners on addressing youth issues in Liberia.

2. POLICY VISION, GOAL AND OBJECTIVES

Vision A Liberia where young people live in safety and security with equal opportunities to realize their dreams and aspirations; and be success focused and morally upright to exploit their maximum potential economically, culturally, politically, socially and religiously.

Goal The overall goal of the National Youth Policy is to promote youth participation in the national decision making process. It is also to provide an appropriate framework that will promote fundamental human rights and protect the health, social, economic and political well-being of all young men and women in order to enhance their participation in the overall development process and improve their quality of life.

Key Policy objectives

· Establish a general policy framework which will provide guidelines on all matters relating to youth development;

· Promote collaboration between different tiers of government and civil society organizations, non-governmental organizations, community based organizations, religious organizations on youth development programs;

· Ensure youth involvement in decision-making, leadership, community based and other development programs especially in matters affecting them;

· Promote the harmonization of other policies, programs, strategies and youth-related research.

3. RIGHTS, RESPONSIBILITIES, AND OBLIGATIONS

RIGHTS OF THE YOUTH

· Participation in policy formulation, decision making, leadership, and development at local and national levels;

· Protection from all forms of abuse, coercion, violence, exploitation, discrimination and degradation;

· Access to all benefits such as proper education and training (including opportunities for life-long learning), employment, housing, legal services, health care (including reproductive health), and recreation;

· In the case of the disabled, the right to be provided with the special treatment which his/her condition requires;

RESPONSIBILITIES AND OBLIGATION OF THE YOUTH

· To promote, dialogue, reconciliation, peace, and development.

· To protect, conserve, and preserve the environment.

· To promote and advance the principles of gender equality.

· To acquire skills which increase their capacity for self-help, self-respectability, cooperation and community development;

· To promote positive lifestyles and behaviors by young men and women;

OBLIGATIONS OF GOVERNMENT TO THE YOUTH

· Encourage participation of young men and women in decision making, community life and development;

· Assist young people in reaching their goals and full potential;

· Respect and accept the contribution of young men and women to society through the use of their talents, resources, ideas;

· Provide adequate funding for educational and create equal opportunities to be educated;

OBLIGATIONS OF SOCEITY TO THE YOUTH

· Promote responsible parenthood;

· Provide the right atmosphere for the mental, emotional and physical development of young persons;

· Provide equal access and opportunities to family resources to the youth regardless of gender;

· Provide adolescent sexual reproductive health information including HIV/AIDS information and education to young people.

4. POLICY TARGET GROUPS

· In-and-out of school Adolescents and Youth. According to the Analytical Report on Youths and Adolescents from the 2008 Population and Housing Census (LISGIS, 2011), there are 1,140,291 youth and adolescents out of which 41 percent are in elementary schools, 14.9 percent in high schools, and 0.9 percent are in tertiary/university and about 3.6 percent had no education at all.

· Unemployed and under-employed Youth. Reducing unemployment is the most important measure Government ought to take to improve household living standards (CWIQ 2010). Thus, creating enough jobs for all Liberians to be gainfully employed and able to work their own way out of poverty should be one of Government’s top priorities.

· Youth with disabilities. Analytic Report on Youths and Adolescents based on the 2008 Population and Housing Census (LISGIS, 2011), there are 21,766 youth and adolescents aged 10-24 years who are disabled in Liberia. In urban areas, 10,504 or 48.3 percent were disabled and 11,262 or 51.7 are disabled in rural areas. Disability leads to special poverty problems, and these figures are quite high.

· Female Youth (young women and girls). Gender plays a crosscutting role in contributing to factors that leave women – in particular young women and girls especially vulnerable, as is evidenced by new STI and HIV rates at 34% (LDHS, 2013). Sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) is widespread and constitutes a major risk for HIV infection.

· Youth affected by HIV/AIDS. Young women and girls are particularly vulnerable to poverty, especially in rural areas, because of their more limited access to employment and basic services such as health and education. Large numbers of out-of-school youth; early age of sexual debut for young women and girls leave many young persons; especially vulnerable to sexual abuse and violence, and HIV infection.

· Female Sex Workers. Women and girls involved in transactional sex or sex work are at particularly at high risk and need to be targeted. Female sex workers and their male clients are the most important at-risk and bridge populations for HIV transmission.

· Youth in the informal Commercial sector. These are mainly vulnerable youth groups such as street boys, school drop-outs, and unemployed youths engaged in petty trade. They are generally well organized within their structures. Rather than disparage this group of young Liberians who are trying to earn a living from their makeshift businesses, Government needs to engage them and develop a strategy to regulate their activities and ensure that they are properly trained in business skills to operate those economic activities so as to support their lives and the lives of others who depend on them for a livelihood.

NATIONAL YOUTH POLICY 2019-2023

5. PRIORITY THEMES, SITUATIONAL ANALYSIS, STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES AND INTERVENTIONS

Education & Training

Liberia’s net enrollment rate (NER) for primary is 37% compared to 74% for the West Africa Region; secondary level is 17% compared to 33% for the region (UNESCO 2018). The declining trend in enrollment from primary to secondary points to the effect of poverty (World Bank 2015). Breakdown in school infrastructure in many counties, short supply of competent and qualified teachers, not enough textbooks and other teaching /learning materials, and insufficient places are all leading to the significant decrease in the access rate between primary and secondary. Consequently, illiteracy rates among children and young people are 68% with more males able to read and write than females throughout the 15 counties of Liberia. The share of technical and vocational education and training (TVET) has remained stagnant at an average of 5% between 2012 and 2015 (Liberia Education Sector Analysis 2016), as many youth churn TVET. The Liberian Government must make education a high priority in order to ensure that today’s school-age children get educated and to provide for the large population of older youth who missed out on school during the war.

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Employment & Empowerment

In Liberia, youth aged 15-35 constitute over a third of the total labor force of 1,677,000 people (LISGIS 2011). This large share of young workers intensifies demand for decent jobs, farmland, infrastructure, and public services. However, their educational attainment remains low on average, and youth recognize that their lack of skills and experience are impediments to employment. The inadequate skills and vulnerable employment remain key constraints on rapid, inclusive and sustainable growth. Youth vulnerable employment remains at 78% (ILO Database 2018). Addressing the challenge of youth unemployment and vulnerable employment requires that youth are equipped with employable skills as a fundamental pre-requisite. Formalizing and promoting Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in both the formal and informal sectors, and financing TVET is one most viable option for job creation and increasing youth productivity in Liberia.

Promote a sense of volunteerism and national service among young people

4,000,000

Improve SRH service delivery to young people.

2,311,925

Justice and Governance

people in decision-making and remove obstacles that affect their full contribution to society.

Promote a sense of responsible citizenship among young people.

538,102

Peace building

Encourage Inter and Intra-generational conversation between and among youths and adults with emphasis on motivating adults to support young people to work towards promoting peace and development in their communities.

2,629,000

Promote the involvement and full participation of young men and women in all areas of the agricultural sector in the country.

Promote training in Agriculture and technical support to youth engaged in farming.

573,202

Provide opportunities for youth engaged in Agriculture to increase their yield and income base.

3,775,000

Environment

Young people, as with people of all ages, have a right to an environment that is not harmful to their health or well-being; and to have the environment protected for the benefit of future generations. The issue of environmental management and improvements is also of a major concern to young people. Young men and women ought to take active role in participating in programs and activities that improve the environment such as recycling, community cleanup’s, land reclamations etc. There is urgent need for the natural environment to be maintained and preserved for both present and future generations. The causes of environmental degradation must be addressed; natural resources must be tapped and made use of in an environmentally friendly and sustainable manner.

Promote proper land use and curb illicit mining.

150,000

Encourage local communities to undertake arts and culture.

1,859,000

6. INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK AND POLICY IMPLEMENTATION

6.1. INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK AND AGENCIES

a) The Ministry of Youth and Sports: - Shall be in the driver’s seat for purposes of implementing this policy. It shall be directly responsible for overseeing and co-coordinating the implementation, monitoring, and review of the policy for the Government of Liberia. It also has the superintendent responsibility for the specialized agencies concerned with youth development in the country.

b) All line Ministries: All Ministries, Departments, and Agencies in the country with programs, activities that are youth-focused and youth-related.

c) County Authorities: The County Authorities shall work with the Ministry of Youth and Sports to coordinate youth development programs at the County levels

d) Federation of Liberian Youth (FLY): It will directly be responsible for organizing young people into an active youth service corps and cooperate and work with other partners with similar objectives.

e) Liberia National Student Union (LINSU): It will mobilize efforts and advocate for underprivileged students to benefit from the implementation of the policy.

f) Youth Associations and NGOs: Youth driven voluntary associations and NGOs will be important vehicles through which young people can actively participate in the implementation of the policy.

g) Private Sector Organizations: It is expected that this sector will support programs of employment generation, skills training for the Youth, work-experience, as well as community development activities.

h) International Organizations/Development Partners: Multilateral and Bilateral Donor Agencies/development partners, and International NGOs could provide funding, training, information and linkage programs which contribute to the implementation of the Policy.

i) Mass Media: The prints as well as the electronic media are expected to publicize the objectives of this policy, report and review the progress of the implementation of the policy.

6.2. MONITEING AND EVALUATION

The Youth Policy shall have two levels of monitoring and evaluation. There will be an internal monitoring and evaluation to provide feedback on progress in implementation, of the policy. This feedback will be provided through; track the record of services to youth and/or youth issues and advocacy, periodic M & E reviews on youth development programs in the country, dissemination of M&E reports to key stakeholders.

A second level will be an evaluation of the policy that will be conducted by an external institution or individual. This is expected to be done 6 months to the end of the current policy.

image2.jpeg image3.jpeg image4.jpeg image5.png image1.png