Monrovia, Liberia – The Center for Africa Policy Research and Advocacy (CAfPRA) has held high-level talks with the Speaker of the Liberian Parliament to express serious concerns about the Public Health Bill 2022, which promotes early and inappropriate sex education for young children while advancing agendas that undermine parental rights and traditional values.
The bill, strongly promoted by the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Swedish Association for Sexuality Education (RFSU), seeks to alter Liberia’s school curriculum by introducing comprehensive sex education starting from Grade 1 (children aged 7 and above). Key elements reportedly include teaching masturbation, encouraging children to form independent opinions on sexual matters that may conflict with their parents’ beliefs, and provisions related to the legalization of abortion.
The bill is not a genuine public health education, but an ideological agenda that poses serious risks to parental authority, cultural and religious values, and the moral development of Liberian children. Our engagement with the Speaker forms part of our broader commitment to safeguarding Liberia’s sovereignty in policy matters, especially those affecting the upbringing and well-being of our children.
Speaking after the engagement, the Executive Director emphasized the need to protect Liberia’s children and future generations from what the organization describes as an attempt to “hijack” the country’s education system through foreign-backed policies.
“We must safeguard our kids and the future of Liberia from being hypersexualized at such tender ages. This bill promotes content that is inappropriate for children in Grades 1 to 5, including masturbation and encouraging them to hold opinions on sex that differ from their parents. It is clearly influenced by LGBTQ policy promoters and must be thrown out,” the Director stated.
We are calling on the Liberian Legislature to formally step down the bill and prevent it from advancing further. We stand ready to work with lawmakers, parents, faith-based organizations, and other stakeholders to develop genuine, culturally sensitive solutions to public health challenges without compromising our children’s innocence or our national values.
Click the LINK to read the Exposing Liberia’s Public Health Bill that captures 35 Harmful Provisions Inserted by Donor Countries.