According to MICS and DHS, birth registration rate in Liberia in 2008 was 4% for children aged 5 and below,
with the registration focused primarily in urban Montserrado County because of limited access to the rest of the
fourteen counties.
In 2012, the Government of Liberia, with support from UNICEF started a Universal Birth Registration
programme aimed at capacity building and decentralized birth registration. As of 2012, the Government
estimated that the rate has been increased to 9%, covering all fifteen counties of which 6% percent are in urban
areas and 3% in rural communities.
Currently, the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare has a policy whereby all children below 5 years receive
birth certificates free of charge while those above the age 5 pay a minimum of US $7.00 to cover the entire cost
for processing and certificate.
Traditional birth attendants are being taught to carry of initial birth registration in rural communities and places
where there are no hospitals, clinics or health centers.
b) Freedom of expression (Article 7)
Article III section 14.1 of the Children‟s Law provides that” Every child shall have the right to freedom of
expression subject to the following:
Her or his evolving capacities ;
Her or his best interest;
Parental guidance;
National security; or
Public order, public health or morals or rights and freedom of other people.
The Children‟s Law also provides for the formation of children‟s representative forum at town, district, county
and national levels. The function of town children representative forum is to ensure that the views of children
and young people are heard and acted upon to advance the realization of child rights.
In respect of the section, the Ministry of Gender and Development, in collaboration with the Child Protection
Network, including line ministries has constituted various children organizations ( County and National
Children Representative forum and children clubs across the country).
c) Freedom of thought, conscience and religion (Article 9)
Article III section 15.1 of the Children‟s Law stipulates that, „every child shall have the right to thing freely and
adopt any religion subject to the following matters:
The child‟s evolving capacities;
Parental and other appropriate guidance;
Her or his best interest;
National security; public order, public health or morals, or the rights and freedom of other people.
d) Freedom of association and of peaceful Assembly (Article 8)
Article III, section 16.1 of the Children‟s Law guarantees to every child the right to freedom of association
subject to the following:
Her or his evolving capacities;
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