(PRETORIA, South Africa, November 19, 2025) — A Liberian delegation from the Ministry of Health (MOH), led by Quitina Cooper-Davis, Director of the Gender and Social Inclusion Unit (GSIU), and Grace Gee-Railey, Healthcare Scholarship Coordinator, is participating in the African Strategic Conference on the Prevention and Response to Sexual (PRS) Misconduct in health operations in Pretoria, northeastern South Africa.
The training from November 17 to 21, 2025, brings together more than 100 genders and safeguarding experts from across the continent. The event is jointly organized by the World Health Organization (WHO) and African member states with a shared mission: to strengthen integrity, accountability, and safeguarding frameworks within health systems and emergency operations.
The conference aims to review progress in joint WHO–Ministry of Health collaborations, build technical capacity among national gender focal points, and secure renewed commitments from member states to confront sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (SEAH) in health workplaces.
The participants reflect on Africa’s PRS achievements, operational accountability of member states, and the integration of the global Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEAH) frameworks into national health emergency preparedness and response systems.
However, GSIU Director Cooper-Davis has underscored that the training would enhance MOH’s PRS programming, deepen networks with counterparts across Africa, and profile Liberia’s gender integration efforts within the continental health landscape.
“This platform allows us to learn, share experiences, and strengthen Liberia’s commitment to a health system that is safe, inclusive, and accountable,” Cooper-Davis said.
Participants are expected to draft and validate national PRS implementation plans at the end of the conference.
The gathering has drawn a roster of influential figures, including Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Regional Director Emeritus; Dr. Abdourahmane Diallo, WHO Regional Director for Africa’s Representation; Dr. Aaron Motsoaledi, South Africa’s Minister of Health; and representatives from the United Nations focused on strengthening global responses to SEAH.
In a statement, the Liberian team expressed profound appreciation to Health Minister Dr. Louise M. Kpoto and Hon. Malayah T. Chieyoe for what they described as “a golden opportunity to elevate Liberia’s gender and inclusion agenda.”
They affirmed that the GSIU remains fully committed to building a resilient, gender-responsive health system capable of preventing and addressing sexual misconduct, both within the Ministry and in the communities it serves.