UNFPA Empowers Liberian Media as Key Partner in Drive for Reproductive Health and Gender Equality
MONROVIA – In a strategic move to accelerate development goals, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is deepening its alliance with Liberia’s media sector, positioning journalists as crucial advocates for sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) and gender equality nationwide.
Beyond Reporting: Media as a Catalyst for Change
The reinforced partnership was formalized at a one-day orientation workshop for the newly established Liberia Media Network for Championing the ICPD Agenda. Dr. Mady Biaye, UNFPA Resident Representative, framed the collaboration not as a simple information-sharing exercise, but as a foundational step towards building a sustainable media ecosystem capable of driving tangible social progress.
“Population and development, as well as sexual and reproductive health and rights, are fundamental pillars required for national development,” Dr. Biaye stated, emphasizing that these are not abstract concepts but concrete actions with direct impacts on Liberia’s social and economic trajectory.
The Three Transformative Goals
Dr. Biaye outlined the three core, interconnected objectives at the heart of UNFPA’s global and national mission, where media advocacy is deemed essential:
- Ending preventable maternal deaths
- Eliminating the unmet need for family planning
- Eradicating gender-based violence and harmful practices
He articulated the media’s role in realizing the vision of “a world in which every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person’s potential is realized.”
Data-Driven Policies and Ethical Reporting
Highlighting UNFPA’s identity as a data-driven organization, Dr. Biaye explained its support for the Liberian Government in conducting censuses, surveys, and research. This ensures that national policies, including those on health and gender equality, are informed by accurate and current population data—a rich resource for investigative and explanatory journalism.
The workshop also served as a platform to instill the principles of ethical reporting. Dr. Biaye urged journalists to adhere to the “do no harm” principle, a critical consideration when covering sensitive stories involving vulnerable populations, such as survivors of gender-based violence or individuals accessing family planning services.
Analysis: Why This Media Partnership Matters Now
This initiative signals a recognition that achieving complex developmental targets requires more than government and NGO action; it necessitates a well-informed and proactive public sphere. By equipping the media with deeper context and a clearer understanding of the International Conference on Population and Development (ICPD) agenda, UNFPA is investing in a multiplier effect.
Accurate media coverage can demystify family planning, challenge stigmas surrounding reproductive health, and hold stakeholders accountable for commitments to gender equality. In an era of misinformation, this partnership aims to fortify the media as a bastion of reliable, life-impacting information.
This report is based on information originally published by Knews Online.