By Alvin Lansana Kargbo

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in partnership with the Ministry of Health, marked World Contraception Day on Friday 26th September, 2025 at the Ministry’s Conference Room in Youyi Building, Freetown. The event also featured the handing over of over US$2.47 Million worth of contraceptives, maternal health medicines and equipment to the Ministry, reinforcing the commitment to expand access to contraceptives across Sierra Leone.

The commemoration, held under the global theme: “A Choice for All: Agency, Intention, Access,” aimed to raise public awareness on the vital role of contraception in advancing reproductive rights, reducing adolescent pregnancies, saving mothers’ lives and empowering women and youth. The event further highlighted progress made, challenges remaining and the joint commitment of the Government and partners to ensure that every woman and adolescent can exercise their right to plan their future.

Speaking at the event, Sibeso Mululuma, UNFPA Deputy Representative to Sierra Leone, emphasized that contraception is a fundamental human right, enabling women and adolescents to decide freely if, when and with whom to have children. She noted that many women and girls in Sierra Leone still face barriers in accessing contraceptives, leading to unintended pregnancies, unsafe abortions, and preventable maternal deaths. Sibeso Mululuma highlighted that family planning allows women and young people to stay in school, participate in the workforce and strengthen families, creating a cascade of social and economic benefits.

She further stressed that UNFPA promotes women-centered approaches, ensuring that choices are respected and accurate information is provided. The UNFPA Deputy Representative highlighted the UNFPA Supplies Partnership, which has delivered over US$16 million in contraceptives and maternal health medicines to Sierra Leone between 2020 and 2024, covering the majority of public sector needs. She called for strong supply chains, expanded contraceptive options and increased investment in young people to make reproductive agency a reality in the country.

Victor Lansana Koroma, Executive Director of Health Alert, lauded the Government of Sierra Leone’s progress, noting a rise in contraceptive prevalence to 27% and reductions in maternal mortality. He emphasized the importance of policy reform, particularly the pending Safe Motherhood and Reproductive Health Bill, calling for decisive Government action to ensure young girls can access services without restriction.

He also stressed the need for sustained investment in family planning amid a challenging funding landscape, citing gaps left by donor exits. The Executive Director reaffirmed Health Alert’s commitment to collaborate with Government, UNFPA, Civil Society and the youth to strengthen services and deepen community engagement.

Mellicentia Boateng, the youth representative at the ceremony, likened family planning to budgeting: understanding when to invest and when to defer. She stressed that young people must have both the freedom and means to make informed decisions about their sexual and reproductive health.

She also highlighted barriers facing youth, particularly in rural areas, including lack of information and social pressures. Mellicentia Boateng emphasized that contraception is not only about preventing pregnancy but also about personal agency, foresight and empowerment. She praised initiatives like the Young Women Living Change Innovation Grant and community awareness campaigns on the Child Marriage Act, underscoring the transformative impact of supporting youth-led efforts.

In his keynote address, Deputy Minister of Health, Dr. Charles Senessie reaffirmed the Ministry’s holistic, life-stage approach to safeguarding health, from conception to adulthood. He emphasized evidence-driven policies, highlighting that maternal mortality has declined by 79% since 2014–2015 and reiterated the goal of zero preventable maternal deaths by 2030.

Dr. Charles Senessie described innovations such as the national dashboard app and digital tracking of contraceptive commodities, alongside investments in a pharmaceutical-grade warehouse and regulatory reforms. He noted that family planning contributes to reduced maternal deaths, prolonged schooling for girls and women’s economic empowerment.

In conclusion, he acknowledged challenges including information gaps and youth-unfriendly services but emphasized that Government and partners are actively working to address those. The Deputy Minister reported that modern contraceptive prevalence has risen from 18% in 2012 to 27% in recent years, crediting UNFPA and other partners for their support. He set an ambitious target to increase contraceptive use to nearly 50% by 2030, aiming to avert 3.1 million unintended pregnancies and prevent one million unsafe abortions.

According to UNFPA data, Sierra Leone continues to face significant reproductive health challenges. Nearly 30% of married teenage girls want to delay childbirth but lack access to contraceptives, while three in ten girls aged 15–19 are mothers or pregnant. Maternal mortality remains high at 354 deaths per 100,000 live births, despite modern contraceptive use increasing from 18% in 2012 to 27% in 2024.

UNFPA Supplies remains the primary source of contraceptives in Sierra Leone, providing a wide range of modern methods and strengthening delivery systems through digital tools, health worker training and last-mile distribution. Policy support has also been instrumental, including the Family Planning Costed Implementation Plan (2023–2027) and the National Condom Strategy (2025–2029).

The World Contraception Day commemoration in Freetown highlighted the collaborative efforts of Government, UNFPA, Civil Society and the youth to ensure that every woman and adolescent in Sierra Leone can exercise their reproductive rights safely and responsibly. https://thecalabashnewspaper.com/unfpa-marks-world-contraception-day-with-2-47-million-donation-of-contraceptives-to-sierra-leone/