Most of us who follow the news from Liberia may have read of the escalation of pregnancy of students allegedly by teachers. This shameful and unethical practice, if not illegal, is not new in Liberia. However, with value now attached to gender equality and education for all Liberians, outcries against the rising pregnancy of underage girls and students are rightfully taking center stage.

 

As a retired Child Protective Worker, my heart goes out to these young women, most of whom are probably just girls and not yet women. We must all add our voices and act to end this ugly practice.
 
In the sixties and early seventies, I recall female students were also in intimate relationships with teachers in order to get passing grades. These girls were referred to as teachers’ pets. Today, as I realize how vulnerable these girls were, it is obvious that they were not just pets and playmates; they were victims. Many dropped out of school; others graduated without the requisite training and knowledge that their grades show, while others struggled as single mothers.

 

These girls had children born unto them by men who were as old as their fathers and grandfathers. Many developed low self-esteem. Some of the fathers vanished; others moved on and married educated girls.
 
I congratulate Dr. Joseph Kortu (Minister of Education) for his public stance to tackle sexual relationships between teachers and students. Watchdog groups, the clergy and parents should join him in this laudable cause. This is a fight against child abuse. This is a fight against sexual exploitation. This is a fight against corruption. It is also a fight that would take Liberia on a direct path to achieving one of the UN Millennium Development Goals – “Eliminate gender disparity in primary and secondary education . . .”
 
Teachers should live up to and be held by high ethical standards. The students are entrusted to their care. These teachers know, as I believe, that they are only satisfying their selfish craves at the expense of the girls. It is despicable that they would betray this trust and destroy the lives of our future nurses, doctors, teachers, true mothers, accountants, agriculturists and even presidents.
 
The current focus is on the teachers as the abusers. However, I sometimes think of the many men who are returning home and landing lucrative jobs but their wives remain in the States. I have heard many plausible reasons why one spouse should remain here while the other goes and fish things out. But then, is it unreasonable to wonder how these men satisfy the natural human urge for sex when their partners are thousands of miles away? Are the vulnerable girls not easy preys to these deep pockets? I sometimes wonder whether there should be a law placing a time limit on how long a wife should stay away before joining her husband in Liberia as a condition to hold his job. I have no fixed opinion on this yet but would appreciate reading what others think.
 
There are those who would argue that the blame is on the girls. They should know why they went to school and focus on their education. Others would place the blame on the parents. It is easy to hold such positions, but I beg to differ. We should not blame the victims, the girls. Firstly, teachers are figures of authority. They are role models and mentors. Their behaviors are considered acceptable and caring. It is almost impossible to say no and survive as a student. Pressure even comes from peers, parents and others who mistakenly look at such a relationship as beneficial to the girls. Most of all, the economic challenges reduce the chances of the girls saying no when they are not taught the adverse effects of saying yes nor presented with some worthy alternatives.
 
I believe that not only the Minister of Education is giving attention to the ills that befall our women in Liberia. Today we have a Gender Ministry and many professional women are organizing themselves into “female” organizations to empower women. Some of the thoughts I have for consideration by government may already be on the table and are being acted upon. Some of my thoughts are A) Pass laws and policies against dating between teachers and students. B) Pass law on the age of consent. C) Speed programs on education and economic empowerment for women. D) Pass laws on child support with stringent penalties. E) Make it easy and accessible for Liberians to get information on how to start small businesses, reduce the registration of small businesses and provide loans and grants. Without a means for survival, high grades are not the most attractive bite our young girls face.
 
Well, while all of the above and more are coming into being, parents and guardians could try some of the tactics some parents used when we were girls coming up in Liberia. The fear of pregnancy was instilled in us. Sometimes a girl would be told, condescendingly, “You are smelling yourself” when she played around boys a lot. With real trepidations, a girl would tell a boy who would be pressuring her into sex that she fear to get pregnant. When the boy insisted as if he had some powers to have intercourse with her but prevent pregnancy, her mantra was, “Ma will examine me”. Parents and guardians, go back to the examination and the discouragement of your daughters from having God pa. (Talking about God ma is another story).
 
Some girls may want to try this one: I am told of an incident where an older man kept pressuring a very young girl to date him. After she refused several times, she waited until his birthday and said yes. He took her to his office and instead of him enticing her to undress, she succeeded in making him get in the nude. As soon as he was naked, her friends who were peeping from an adjacent room, knowingly to her, burst in and started singing “Happy Birthday” to him, as he stood nonplused, in his birthday suit. I doubt if he ever overcame this disgrace or ever thought of approaching another little girl. What a deterrent it was to some other men who heard the story? Drastic disease needs drastic medicine.
 
Men, I respect you, and sex is a good thing. I know of many of you who are good fathers. You work endlessly to nurture your children and prepare them for the future. You respect women. Today, some of you, because of the reversal of many roles in the USA, proudly accept the label “Mr. Mom”. I SALUTE YOU and ask that you join in to protect our girls and not fall to the alluring temptation of their youth and beauty.

 

Take it from me; there is great joy in making love to an experienced lover compared to those just maturing young ladies. Believe in true love and you too will not fall victim to anyone ulterior motives.
 
My final message is to the girls themselves. When there are criminals around, a homeowner does what he can to product his property in addition to all the protection provided by government. Girls, I urge you to help protect yourself. See hard studies as what will bring you true success. Associate with friends who also like to study. Report teachers and older men who approach you for sex. Reduce temptations by dressing modestly. The saying goes: “Long ago, the girls showed a lot of clothes; nowadays, the clothes show a lot of the girls.” Choose the long ago way. Practice birth control when you are of age and willing to have sex to avoid unwanted pregnancy. Sex is enjoyable but, practice safe sex. HIV/AIDS is a killer. God Bless Liberia.