Adolescent Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (ASRHR) in Sierra Leone

According to the local NGO Rainbow Initiative, there were 1,272 sexual assaults reported in five districts with 217 pregnancies between January and May in Sierra Leone. Rainbow Initiative further estimated 3,701 sexual assault cases, 598 pregnancies resulting from assaults, Conviction of domestic violence is punishable by a substantial fine and two years’ imprisonment. Survivors seldom reported SGBV due to their fear of social stigma and retaliation. Religious, social, and cultural barriers adversely limited access to contraception.

Sierra Leone ranked the 10th highest in the world for adolescent pregnancy, according to UNFPA, 14,000 teenage girls became pregnant during Ebola and the adolescent pregnancy increased to 65% in the country. This is because of compounded factors in rural areas such as poverty, lack of awareness on the importance of education, negative social norms, discrimination and gender inequality. To fight early child marriage, teenage pregnancy, Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C), Sexual, and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) against women and girls especially in the rural communities, community engagement, education and trainings are significant in this fight. YoMSuD-SL is in operation in more than five communities in Falaba, Koinadugu and Bo districts to build the walls of engagement, education and trainings in Sierra Leone.

What we have done

  • In 2020, we supported 25 teen moms back to school with full academic materials, school charges and mentoring programs.
  • In 2022,Five of the supported teenage mothers got university requirements without help
  • In 2023, we sent the first five marginalized adolescent mothers to university.
  • We enrolled vulnerable Out-Of-School Children into various community-based schools with full academic support and school charges such as condiment fees.

Project information

Number of Communities supported 120

Number of Adolescents reached with Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) Campaign 2,500 Marginalized women reached with Food Security and Climate Change 109

Number of Teen Moms sent to University 6

Number of Teenage Mothers sent to school 350

Number of Young People Mentored and Counselled 1,000

Number of Youth trained in Digital Technology and Computer 105