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Abigail Kou Laikarnue Freeman Karneh

Abigail Kou Laikarnue Freeman is a Liberian Human Rights Activist and youth development worker with a notable career spanning over seven years. Born in Blagay's Town Community on October 20, 1998, she is the daughter of Reverend Alexander Z Freeman and Fannia M Freeman. Abigail spent a significant part of her early years in the LPMC and Gleinyeluu Community, where her family established the CBC (Community-Based Organization) in the late 1990s.

Early life and Education

Abigail, the first daughter of her family, became a grandchild and spent her formative years with her grandparents in Gleinyeluu Community until 2008. She commenced her primary education at Hope Academy and later enrolled at the Harriet E Parkinson Memorial Academy, where she successfully graduated in 2014. Abigail continued her academic journey, obtaining a degree from the African Methodist Episcopal Zion University in 2021. Additionally, she holds a certificate in computer studies from the YMCA computer training program (2018) and has completed international training programs in Ghana, South Africa, and the United Kingdom (UK). Abigail is also a participant in the Women in Leadership program at the University of Delaware, USA, and a member of the 2020 CIVICUS Alliance Lab.

Leadership and Volunteerism

Abigail Freeman's commitment to leadership and volunteerism is evident in her various roles and initiatives. In 2012, she served as the President of the YMCA Youth Council in Ganta, working alongside local leaders to promote healthcare, peace, and reconciliation, particularly during the 2014 Ebola outbreak. Abigail's dedication extended to organizing dance competitions and soccer games among high schools and communities. She also volunteered as a Peace Mediator at the Anges Brooks International Center and undertook missions to Ghana and The Gambia to promote peace during elections in 2016.

Abigail played a pivotal role in student leadership, serving as the President of the Nimba Students Union at the Liberia National Students Union from 2015 to 2018. She later worked as a Program Assistant at the YMCA from 2019 to 2020 and currently serves as the Gender, Women, and Children Protections Officer at the Mano River Union Youth Parliament.

Experience

Abigail Freeman is recognized as a seasoned Human Rights Activist and youth development worker. With over seven years of experience, she founded the Alliance for Gender Justice and Human Rights, a grassroots movement championing women's rights, gender justice, and empowerment of women and youth in rural Liberia.

Impact and Progress

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Abigail demonstrated her commitment to community service through the "SHESAFE" Campaign, providing essential items for women and children, especially teenage pregnant girls and older women. Abigail's Alliance for Gender Justice and Human Rights initiated agriculture programs in rural communities to address food shortages during lockdowns.

In January 2021, Abigail launched the "She Leads Academy," a proposed vocational school aimed at providing opportunities for teenage mothers and vulnerable boys and girls in Ganta City, Nimba County. She continues to engage in community initiatives, including peace soccer tournaments and anti-SGBV (Sexual and Gender-Based Violence) campaigns.

Abigail's vision is to create an inclusive environment that protects the rights of all individuals, offering opportunities regardless of background, race, or religious beliefs. Recognized with awards such as the Diana Award and SheGame Award, Abigail remains dedicated to her advocacy for human rights, youth development, and gender justice.

Alliance for Peace Justice and Human Rights the Institution she founded

ABIGAIL FREEMAN

Country: Liberia

Movement: Alliance for Gender Justice and Human Rights

Just before the world went on lockdown, Abigail founded the Alliance for Gender Justice and Human Rights to champion women’s rights, promote gender equality, and elevate the voices of women and youth in rural Liberia. As a young woman growing up in Ganta, Liberia, she encountered many teenage pregnant girls and young women living in deplorable conditions due to neglect and poverty and struggling with bullying. Being very sensitive to this issue, Abigail mobilized her friends in a public campaign and research project to understand better the issue of her community and ways to support them. She found that many of these pregnant teenage girls between 13 and 19, were victims of rape and other forms of sexual violence. Sadly, some of them have become sex workers and drug addicts. Few hawk goods in the streets to survive. Through the interviews conducted by Abigail, the majority told her that they want to go back to school and this was how the idea of the SHELEADs academy programme was born as lead programme of the Alliance for Gender Justice and Human Rights.

The Alliance for Gender Justice and Human Rights is a grassroots initiative that aims at building a physical structure/ school called “THE SHELEADs Academy” in Ganta, Nimba County for young women and girls. The aim is to provide a safe space for survivors of Gender Based Violence in Liberia and raise hope that will transform the lives of young girls, train and empower them. The project aims to empower women, build their skills and capacity in social and sustainable enterprises and inspire them to lead. This also will serve as a hope for fighting poverty and illiteracy, reducing gender inequality, domestic violence, drugs abuse and sexual abuses.

In the wake of the Covid 19 pandemic, Abigail and her friends worked to establish Human Rights Clubs in communities to create enabling space for all youth to discuss and take actions on topical issues of Sexual and Gender Based Violence that were on the rise due to the lockdown. They also launched an agriculture program to train young people in sustainable farming and local food production. Though modest, this agriculture program was crucial at a time young people in Nimba County were losing jobs and out of business as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

"As a young person, I am resilient despite the resistance from my community and policy makers and I have grab the concept of building a united front / coalition of youth leaders who will serve as change agents and major voices campaigning against SGBV and pressuring stakeholders to support the fight against SGBV. In it all, we shall prevail because we are stronger together. Abigail  

CONTACT DETAILS:

Alliance for Gender Justice and Human Rights

Facebook: Alliance for Gender Justice and Human Rights

Link to short Video: https://youtu.be/77OTLF8mzKI

External Links

Spoon TV Live

LONE FEMALE CANDIDATE ‘FACES HUMILIATION’ IN NIMBA

Breaking The Culture Of Silence In Liberia

Abigail Freeman – Give Her Justice Peace Song

Liberia Chapter of MRU Youth Parliament Meet in Nimba

Women of Liberia Mass Action for Peace

Abigail leads We Need Justice Campaign” -Liberians Demand

Liberian Students demand Weah declares assets before July 26 or else….