(Monrovia, Liberia, September 23, 2026) — The Ministry of Health (MOH) has launched a five-year national strategy to address sexual and reproductive health, nutrition and protection challenges confronting adolescents across Liberia.

The National Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and Nutrition Strategy 2026–2031, unveiled Wednesday at the Ministry of Health in Monrovia, places adolescent health and nutrition at the centre of a coordinated national response involving government ministries, the United Nations, civil society organizations, development partners and young people.

Speaking at the event, the Deputy Minister for Health Services and Chief Medical Officer of the Republic of Liberia, Dr. Catherine T. Cooper, said the strategy provides clear guidelines for addressing challenges affecting adolescents, whom she described as the future leaders of Liberia.

“Today, on behalf of the Ministry of Health, we are proud to officially launch the Five-Year Adolescent Health Strategy,” Dr. Cooper said while unveiling the document.

The strategy was presented by Dr. Nuntia K. Gbanlon-Nuahn, Acting Director of the Family Health Division, who outlined its rationale, development process, guiding principles, vision, mission, goal and strategic objectives.

Dr. Nuahn said the strategy seeks to ensure that adolescents throughout Liberia have access to quality sexual and reproductive health and nutrition services while addressing social and behavioral barriers and strengthening the policy, legal and institutional environment surrounding adolescent health.

“From teenage pregnancy and nutrition deficiencies to HIV prevention, school retention and access to information, these issues cannot be resolved by the Ministry of Health alone,” she said.

UNICEF Country Representative Shairose Mawji, speaking on behalf of the United Nations Resident Coordinator, described the launch as more than the unveiling of another government policy document, saying it represents a commitment to Liberia’s young people and the country’s future.

“Today matters. We’ve heard that today is more than a moment; it is a commitment to Liberia’s young people and to the country’s future,” Mawji said.

She noted that adolescents constitute a significant portion of Liberia’s population and represent an important opportunity for the country to strengthen its human capital.

“Adolescents are the future leaders of Liberia,” she said.

However, Mawji cautioned that the strategy would have limited impact unless Liberia moves quickly from policy development to implementation.

“We first need to finance it,” she said, stressing the need to identify and mobilize the resources required to implement the strategy.

“Second, it needs to be implemented. The guidelines you’ve heard about today need to be put into practice,” she added.

Mawji also called for greater attention to adolescents who are most at risk of being excluded from essential services.

“Third, we need to reach those that are furthest behind,” she said, specifically citing young people with disabilities and adolescents who are out of school.

“And lastly, we need to measure the progress. We need to have good data. We need to have information and results,” she added.

According to Mawji, investing in adolescent health will produce benefits extending beyond individual young people to their families, communities and the country’s broader development.

“When adolescents are healthy, well-nourished, protected and able to remain in school, the benefit extends to their families, their communities and to Liberia’s investment and development,” she said.

“Therefore, investing in adolescents is investing in Liberia’s future.”

Megan Beare, Development Lead at the Embassy of Ireland in Liberia, reaffirmed Ireland’s support for the strategy and the collaborative process through which it was developed.

Beare said Ireland had supported the initiative from its inception through the official launch, but stressed that the work should not end with the adoption of the strategy.

“But I actually think we need to go further than it’s not just strategy,” Beare said, calling for sustained commitment to translating the framework into practical action.

She acknowledged the contributions of the various stakeholders involved in developing the strategy and expressed her best wishes to the government and its partners as they move toward implementation.

“I wish you the very best in bringing it,” she said.

Representatives from civil society organizations, the United Nations, the Embassy of Ireland, the Scaling Up Nutrition Movement, the Ministry of Education and other partners participated in the launch.

The strategy is expected to provide a common framework for coordinating adolescent sexual and reproductive health, nutrition and related interventions across Liberia through 2031.