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The Ministry of Health and Sanitation has officially launched two key national policy documents during a high-level ceremony held at Kenema City Hall.
Deputy Minister I of Health and Sanitation, Professor Charles Senesie, presided over the event, which marked the unveiling of the Formative Research Report on Adolescent Health, Nutrition, and Support Systems, and the National Strategy for the Reduction of Teenage Pregnancy and Ending Child Marriage (2025–2030).
The launch was coordinated by the National Secretariat for the Reduction of Teenage Pregnancy and the Directorate of Policy, Planning, and Information, in collaboration with UNICEF, UNFPA, and Irish Aid. The event drew participation from key stakeholders in government, civil society, and international development partners.
During his keynote address, Professor Senesie highlighted the importance of the two reports, describing them as key instruments in addressing the long-standing challenges affecting adolescent girls in Sierra Leone. He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to creating safe and healthy environments for youth development and praised the institutions involved in drafting and coordinating the strategy.
The strategy seeks to reduce teenage pregnancies and eradicate child marriage by the year 2030. It emphasizes the importance of cross-sectoral coordination, data-driven planning, and community-based engagement to address underlying factors contributing to adolescent health vulnerabilities.
Officials from the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education, the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Interreligious Council, and various local government bodies including leaders from the Eastern districts of Kailahun, Kono, and Kenema were present. These districts, commonly known as the “Three KAYs,” have been identified as areas with high rates of adolescent health concerns.
Stakeholders from each district worked collaboratively during the event to develop district-specific action plans aimed at localizing the strategy. Representatives from all three districts pledged their support for implementing the new policies and translating them into measurable improvements within their communities.
The event concluded with a unified call for increased community involvement, multisectoral partnerships, and sustained advocacy to address issues of teenage pregnancy and child marriage, two factors that continue to impact educational attainment, health outcomes, and economic opportunities for girls across Sierra Leone.
The newly launched strategy will serve as a guiding framework for national and local interventions over the next five years.
