The Empowerment of Liberian Women through Education
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Photograph from ActionAid.org (by Jenny Matthews)
After fifteen years of brutal civil war, and now eight years later, women in Liberia are still facing an unprecedented amount of discrimination. During the civil war, rape and other forms of sexual assault were used as weapons against women and children. Educating women in healthcare, family planning, and providing employment and literacy skills, will empower them to combat other issues such as gender based violence and sexual exploitation.
This trip will focus on the socio-economic plight of women in post- civil war Liberia.
Trip Issues and Goals
The first issue we will address is the poverty of Liberia’s women. One major problem Liberia faces is women making their children work on the streets as a way to make extra income for the household. This is a major issue because these children are working and selling goods in the market places, when they should be in school getting an education. We want to discuss with these women ways in which they can make a living for themselves through business and micro finance loans.
The second issue we will address is the violence and abuse Liberian women face in Liberia, of which there is often a culture of silence and secrecy. Approximately 44% of women surveyed by the Ministry of Gender and Development say they have experienced physical violence since they were 15 years old. Women need to understand that it is alright to get help if they are victims of domestic violence or rape.
The third issue we will address is reproductive health-care and awareness. Liberian Women face a lack of resources and knowledge on reproductive health-care and family planning. During the civil war, many were deliberately infected with HIV/AIDS and impregnated with children of rape. For this reason, we also want to bring awareness of the choices women have as far as birth control, family planning, prenatal care, abstinence, and STD testing and treatment.
On this trip, you will gain a unique hands-on, experiential learning and understanding of the issues concerning young Liberian women today, by joining and volunteering with local grassroots organizations. Through this work, we will educate ourselves on the issues and from there draw parallels to our respective local communities back home, thereby creating global citizens that are socially aware.
Student Leaders
Olive Ochuba is a senior majoring in Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences. She served as a leader for the Spring 2011 Alternative Break trip focusing on the disproportionate effects of HIV/AIDS in Washington, DC. She is an active member of African Students’ Organization at AU and loves to dance and travel. She is interested in pursuing a degree in medicine after graduation.
Asalou Givens is a senior majoring in Sociology in the College of Arts and Sciences with a minor in International Studies in the School of International Service. She is currently serving as Outreach Coordinator on the Executive Board of African Students’ Organization at AU. She enjoys reading, dancing, and spending time with family. Her family is originally from Liberia, and she is excited to travel there again to be a part of social re-development and justice.
Tentative Trip Itinerary
Day 1 (Tuesday, 20th December 2011): Travel
Travel from Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) to Monrovia Roberts International Airport in Monrovia, Liberia (ROB) and arriving in Monrovia the next day.
Day 2 (Wednesday, 21st December 2011): Orientation & Connection with REAP
Tour of the entire REAP facility which includes the offices and the lodging accommodation.
Connect with our long term project through REAP. REAP would like for us to assist the staff with organizing and facilitating a four day workshop for the high school girls program. The workshop topic for day one would focus on literacy education and the importance of reading and writing.
Afternoon visit to the Ministry of Gender and Development.
Day 3 (Thursday, 22nd December 2011): REAP Workshop, Exploring Monrovia & Connecting with NACA.
This will be the second day of our workshops with REAP. The topic of day two would be career planning.
Swimming in the North Atlantic Ocean.
Visit museums and other tourist attractions such as castles and cathedrals.
Join NACA with their event The Open Air Market Ground Breaking Ceremony where we will be able to speak with the market traders, who are primarily women, about their experiences with regards to poverty, education, children and any violence inflicted, particularly that which happened as a result of or targeted because of their gender.
Day 4 (Friday, 23rd December 2011): REAP Workshop
On day three of our workshop, the focus would be on community health education.
Day 5 (Saturday, 24th December 2011): PAYOWI
Introduction to the organization and services they offer for the young women - discussion with the president of the organization.
On day four of the workshop, we would focus on the empowerment of young girls who have been abused in many different ways. We will visit a young women’s home that is specifically set up for such young women with PAYOWI - assisting in daily routine care and helping to organize the Christmas party for the women– preparing food, wrapping gifts, decorations, etc.
We will also assist in beautifying the young women’s’ home – organizing, painting, office work.
Day 6 (Sunday, 25th December 2011): REAP Workshop - PAYOWI
Assisting at the young womens’ home with the Christmas day celebrations. Interacting with the young women and listening to their stories.
Day 7 (Monday, 26th December 2011): Politics of Liberia and PSI/Liberia Visit
Meet with the US ambassador to Liberia, visit the Ministry of Education, Ministry of Youth and Ministry of Health Care.
We will visit PSI/Liberia, and learn about the health problems Liberians face today. We will also have the opportunity to assist the office with their daily activities.
Day 8 (Tuesday, 27th December 2011): PAYOWI “All Girls Camp”
Meet up with Kula Fofana at Paramount Young Women Initiative (PAYOWI) – volunteering with their “All Girls Camp” in Robertsport, Grand Cape Mount County with close to 100 girls.
Day 9 (Wednesday, 28th December 2011): Liberian Red Cross
Volunteering with the Liberia Red Cross community-based health program, which is supported by the British Red Cross, to educate women on sexual and reproductive health - making and distributing condom packets, etc.
Day 10 (Thursday, 29th December 2011): Visiting sights in Monrovia & Departure
We will have a site visit to downtown markets. We will prepare for our departure and anticipate returning to the U.S. the next day.
Day 11 (Friday, 30th December 2011). Arrival in US
