NATIONAL NEWS
MONROVIA – The Inter-Religious Council of Liberia (IRCL) has distanced itself from the planned “Strengthening Families” Conference, citing concerns over what it describes as a limited approach to family issues and insufficient consultation with key national stakeholders.
By: Trokon S. Wrepue – trokon1992seokin@gmail.com
In a statement issued on June 3, 2026, the Council reaffirmed its commitment to promoting peace, social cohesion, human dignity, and the well-being of families across Liberia.
However, it stressed that any national discussion on strengthening families must reflect the realities and diversity of Liberian households.
According to the IRCL, Liberia’s family structures have evolved over decades due to civil conflict, economic hardship, migration, and social transformation.
These changes, the Council noted, have resulted in a variety of family arrangements, including single-parent households, child-headed homes, extended family networks, and households led by grandparents or guardians.
The Council emphasized that family well-being cannot be separated from broader national challenges such as poverty, unemployment, gender-based violence, maternal mortality, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse, and limited access to healthcare and education.
It further underscored the importance of open and respectful dialogue on issues affecting women, girls, young people, and vulnerable populations, noting that access to accurate health information and quality healthcare services remains essential to protecting the dignity and future of Liberian families.
While expressing support for genuine efforts aimed at strengthening families and communities, the IRCL said it could not endorse initiatives that promote what it considers restrictive definitions of family or overlook pressing social and public health concerns affecting many Liberians.
The Council also raised concerns about what it described as a lack of meaningful engagement with its institution during the planning of the conference by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
According to the statement, excluding major religious and community stakeholders from discussions on family values and national well-being raises questions about inclusivity, representation, and local ownership.
“As a longstanding institution guiding moral, social, and religious dialogue in Liberia, the Council believes that discussions about the future of Liberian families should involve broad-based consultations with religious institutions, community leaders, civil society organizations, women, youth, and other key stakeholders,” the statement said.
Consequently, the Council announced that it is distancing itself from the conference and from any initiative that seeks to define Liberia’s future through frameworks that, in its view, do not adequately reflect the country’s social realities and diverse family experiences.
The IRCL also used the occasion to strongly advocate for the prompt passage of the Draft Public Health Bill, describing it as a critical step toward strengthening Liberia’s healthcare system and improving public health outcomes.
According to the Council, the proposed legislation would expand access to essential healthcare services, enhance public health preparedness, and provide greater protection for women, children, youth, and vulnerable communities.
The Council called on members of the National Legislature to prioritize and swiftly pass the bill. It also urged government institutions, development partners, religious organizations, and civil society groups to support policies and programs that advance both family welfare and public health.
The statement concluded with the IRCL reaffirming its commitment to serving as a moral voice in Liberia and encouraging citizens to critically examine initiatives that seek to shape national conversations on family, morality, and social values without fully reflecting the country’s realities and diversity.
