UNFPA seeks greater access to Family Planning in Liberia

The United Nations Population Fund or UNFPA has underscored a need for greater political and financial commitments to family planning in Liberia if the country is to make universal access to reproductive health and women’s empowerment a reality.

UNFPA Liberia Country Representative, Dr. OluremiSogunro says access to family planning alone can reduce unwanted pregnancies, unsafe abortion and maternal death and disability, saving women’s lives and the lives of their children.

“Access to family planning can also allow women to better space their births, which increases the mother’s chances of surviving childbirth;” he adds. Addressing the 23rd Annual Member’s Assembly and 60th Anniversary celebration of the Planned Parenthood Association of Liberia (PPAL) in Monrovia, Dr. Sogunro promised UNFPA’s continuous support to ensure that every Liberian is free to make choices about his or her sexuality and wellbeing without discrimination.

He commended PPAL for the partnership in contributing towards the development of Liberia. “Since 1979 when UNFPA established a field office in Liberia, we have been working with state and non-state actors and in particular with PPAL in our collective quest to ensure good health and promote well-being for all Liberians at all ages. This goal calls for achieving universal access to sexual and reproductive healthcare, reducing the national maternal death, and ending the AIDS pandemic by 2030,” Dr. Sogunro said.

PPAL’s 60th Anniversary celebration is on the theme “PPAL at 60, Locally Owned, Globally Connected: Working for Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights and Choices in Liberia.” Press release