Ministry of Gender, Partners, Celebrate World Children’s Day 2025

November 23, 2025

By Lazota Bility

Monrovia: The Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, in partnership with the Liberia National Children’s Representative Forum and UNICEF, has joined the global community in celebrating World Children’s Day 2025.

This year’s celebration is held under the national theme “Living with Dignity, Every Moment, Every Right” and the global theme “My Day, My Rights.” The national theme serves as a reminder that the rights of every child must be upheld fully and consistently.

World Children’s Day traces its origins to 1989, when the United Nations adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child, marking a major milestone in global child protection efforts.

This year’s observance emphasizes accountability, giving children a platform to directly engage policymakers on commitments made during the 2024 World Children’s Day and the 2025 Day of the African Child.

These commitments aim to address barriers affecting children’s access to quality education, healthcare, and protection. Persistent challenges include poor infrastructure, limited trained teachers, violence in schools, socioeconomic hardships, and weak community support systems. Delivering opening remarks on behalf of Gender Minister Gbeme Horace Kollie, a representative welcomed all children and guests.

“Distinguished government officials, development partners, members of the Child Protection Network, representatives of civil society, members of the Liberia National Children’s Forum, parents, caregivers and most importantly our children here today, I bring you warm greetings on behalf of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection.”

The Minister reaffirmed the Ministry’s dedication to advancing children’s rights: “Today, we join millions of children across the world in reaffirming a simple but powerful truth: every child is born with rights that must be protected, respected, and fulfilled every single day. This year’s celebration is especially meaningful. In 2024, our children sat face-to-face with Ministers, partners, and national leaders.

They raised bold concerns, asked difficult questions, and challenged us to do more. Their voices are the reason we stand here today not just to celebrate them, but to account for the promises we made.” She noted that children make up 41.5% of Liberia’s population, forming the foundation of the nation’s future.

Yet they continue to face major challenges, including limited access to education, high teenage pregnancy, child labor, weak protection systems, poor health services, and rising substance abuse. “These issues are not statistics they are real experiences affecting real children every day. And so today, we stand together to say: we must do better.”

She reminded stakeholders that Liberia has ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child, and enacted the Children’s Law of Liberia, all of which demand collective action. “These commitments require all of us not only the Ministry to ensure we protect children from violence and abuse, give them access to quality education and healthcare, ensure birth registration and legal identity, promote safety in digital spaces, and guarantee their participation in decisions that affect them.”

The Minister called on all stakeholders to renew their responsibility: “To our government ministries and agencies: Let us deliver on the promises we made. Let us increase investments in education, protection, health, and digital safety. To our development partners: We appreciate your support; please continue to walk with us. To parents and caregivers: You are the first protectors of every child. To our children: Your voices matter. Your dreams matter. And your rights will always be protected.” She added, officially declaring the celebration open.

Also speaking at the event, Andy Brooks, UNICEF Country Representative, presented progress under the Government’s ARREST Agenda, highlighting the efforts of President Joseph N. Boakai to remove children from the streets and return them to classrooms, ensuring equal access to quality education and good health services.

He showcased video and photo evidence demonstrating these achievements. Participating children expressed excitement and gratitude to the Government and partners for prioritizing their rights and welfare. “We are happy to be here today and we are so grateful to UNICEF Liberia they are always here for every children giving us access to school material and access to education we are truly grateful to the Government also for building great partnership with them,” they said.

UNICEF Founded in 1946, UNICEF has grown into a global agency committed to the wellbeing of children. The UNICEF Liberia office has been active for nearly 30 years, focusing on: Health & Nutrition: Supporting maternal, neonatal, and child health. Malnutrition: Preventing and treating malnutrition among children and mothers. WASH: Improving access to safe water and sanitation. Education: Supporting basic education, especially for marginalized communities.