Kathy Justice Empowers 47 Girls In Career Development, Peer Pressure, Teenage Pregnancy, Drug Abuse, Others

May 20, 2025

By Matalay Kollie

Bong County: Kathy Justice Girls Educational Liberia, a local non-governmental organization dedicated to empowering youth and girls, has successfully trained over 47 young girls from six high schools in Career Development, Peer Pressure, Teenage Pregnancy, Drug Abuse

The one-day workshop held in Gbarnga and organized by Kathy Justice Girls aimed to address critical issues impacting adolescent girls in Liberia from six high schools

The more than 47 young women were trained in career development, peer pressure, teenage pregnancy and drug abuse while fostering resilience, awareness, and responsible decision-making among participants.

The workshop featured several impactful sessions, one of which was led by Pastor A. Dakermue Kollie. His presentation focused on the alarming increase in substance abuse among the youth, particularly affecting young girls. Pastor Kollie highlighted the detrimental consequences of drug abuse, which can lead to exploitation and mental health issues, thereby interrupting educational trajectories.

He called on community leaders, parents, and educational institutions to adopt proactive strategies to combat this urgent crisis. Citing data from the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, he reported that global drug use has risen by 22% over the past decade.

Anxiety grows around rising youth drug addiction in Liberia, particularly in urban areas, where substances like “Kush” have become widespread among teenagers. Another significant segment of the workshop was led by a gender specialist who tackled the pressing issue of teenage pregnancy.

 According to UNICEF, nearly 30% of girls in Liberia give birth before turning 18, often resulting in school dropouts due to stigma, economic difficulties, and lack of familial support. The expert explained that early childbearing is a major contributor to the cycle of poverty, stating, “When girls give birth at a young age, they are more likely to leave school, limiting their employment opportunities and exposing them to lifelong economic hardship.” Mr. Thomas Malord Saydee, the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Kathy Justice Girls Educational Liberia, expressed the organization’s commitment to empowering Liberian girls as productive citizens. “We want to break the chain of poverty and abuse through education, awareness, and career guidance.

Girls must know their worth and make decisions that secure their future,” he declared following his return from China, where he had facilitated the program. In addition to local participants, the workshop was enriched by the presence of 15 American youth missionaries from Christ for the Nations, who are in Liberia on an evangelical tour focused on spreading the gospel and supporting youth empowerment initiatives.

Established in 2021, Kathy Justice Girls Educational Liberia has actively promoted sex education, career development, and youth leadership opportunities, emphasizing mentorship and education as vital tools for change.

 The workshop served not only as a platform for knowledge-sharing but also as a call to action. Participants pledged to serve as ambassadors of change within their schools and communities, sharing insights gained and encouraging their peers to prioritize education over early marriage and unprotected sex.

The initiative aligns with broader global concerns, such as statistics from the World Health Organization (WHO), which indicate that 12 million girls aged 15-19, along with 777,000 girls under 15, give birth annually in developing regions. Risks associated with teenage pregnancies include higher rates of complications during childbirth and long-term health issues for both mothers and their infants.

Kathy Justice Girls Educational Liberia continues to advocate for support from the Liberian government, international donors, schools, and families to sustain and expand similar programs nationwide.

The organization strongly believes that investing in girls is not only a moral imperative but also a strategic pathway to national development, advocating for a society where young girls can thrive and contribute meaningfully to their communities. The workshop reflects an ongoing commitment to fostering an environment where girls are equipped with the necessary tools to overcome challenges and achieve their full potential.