China and UNFPA Deepen Partnership to Advance Women’s Health and Gender Equality in Sierra Leone

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Government of China have reaffirmed their shared commitment to advancing women’s health and empowerment in Sierra Leone through strengthened bilateral cooperation and expanded reproductive health programmes.

This renewed commitment was highlighted during a recent courtesy visit by UNFPA Country Representative, Mr. Kunle Adeniyi, to the Chinese Ambassador to Sierra Leone, H.E. Wang Qing, at the Chinese Embassy in Freetown.

The meeting focused on deepening South-South cooperation and scaling up programmes that prioritize the health, rights, and well-being of women and girls across the country.

Mr. Adeniyi commended China’s continued support to Sierra Leone’s health sector, particularly through the South-South Cooperation framework, which has made tangible contributions toward improving reproductive health outcomes. He described the ongoing collaboration between UNFPA and the Chinese Government as a model of effective partnership that aligns with Sierra Leone’s national development priorities.

“Our partnership with China is helping transform women’s health services in Sierra Leone,” said Mr. Adeniyi. “From cervical cancer prevention to maternal health, the cooperation is ensuring that no woman or girl is left behind in accessing essential healthcare.”

Under the UNFPA–China collaboration, significant progress has been made in the prevention and management of cervical cancer, one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths among women in Sierra Leone. Through China’s South-South Cooperation Assistance Fund, more than 50 healthcare providers across the country have been trained in cervical cancer screening and pre-cancer management.

Building on this progress, UNFPA and the Chinese Government jointly launched an initiative in 2020 that established screening and treatment services across nine public health facilities nationwide. The project has enhanced early detection and treatment of cervical cancer while raising community awareness on the importance of preventive healthcare for women.

Ambassador Wang Qing reaffirmed China’s commitment to supporting Sierra Leone’s health system, emphasizing that women’s health and empowerment remain central to the country’s long-term development agenda. He noted that South-South cooperation continues to serve as an effective mechanism for addressing shared challenges and promoting sustainable development.

“China and Sierra Leone share a strong friendship rooted in mutual respect and solidarity,” Ambassador Wang stated. “Through our partnership with UNFPA, we aim to strengthen the capacity of the health system and ensure that women and girls have better access to life-saving reproductive health services.”

The partnership between UNFPA and the Chinese Government supports Sierra Leone’s national goal of ending preventable maternal deaths and reducing the burden of reproductive health challenges, including cervical cancer. It also contributes to the global pursuit of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly Goal 3 (Good Health and Well-being) and Goal 5 (Gender Equality).

Looking ahead, both UNFPA and the Chinese Government expressed their shared determination to expand access to quality sexual and reproductive health services, strengthen local healthcare capacity, and continue empowering women and girls to lead healthier and more productive lives.

With sustained support from China and other development partners, Sierra Leone continues to make strides toward a future where every woman and girl enjoys her full right to health and well-being.