By Hassan Osman Kargbo
In a significant step towards addressing teenage pregnancy and child marriage in Sierra Leone, ActionAid has partnered with UNICEF to launch a comprehensive project aimed at supporting vulnerable adolescent girls across the country. This initiative focuses on providing essential support through cash transfers and the establishment of safe spaces for girls, empowering them to make informed decisions about their future.
During a recent visit to Kambia District, a team from UNICEF Sierra Leone, together with ActionAid, visited three key communities to observe the implementation of the project and understand the context in which it would operate. The main goal of the visit was to explore how the cash transfer component of the project would be rolled out. This aspect of the program is designed to provide direct financial support to 2,800 adolescent girls, including 900 girls who are part of the Safe Spaces initiative.
Safe Spaces are vital canters where girls can seek refuge, access educational resources, and engage in mentorship and life skills programs. These spaces are integral to the project’s long-term strategy of creating an environment where adolescent girls are protected from early pregnancies and forced marriages. The visit also allowed the team to meet with local stakeholders, including chiefs and community leaders, to discuss the project and address key challenges that may arise during implementation.
One of the most important aspects of the visit was the discussion with chiefdom and community stakeholders, who expressed their strong support for the intervention. Local leaders in the district welcomed the project and pledged to work collaboratively to find sustainable solutions to the issues of teenage pregnancy and child marriage, which remain major obstacles to girls’ education and empowerment in Sierra Leone. By involving community leaders, the initiative aims to ensure that these interventions are not only effective but also culturally appropriate and widely accepted.
During the visit, the UNICEF and ActionAid team engaged in conversations with both girls and community members to assess the progress of existing programs and understand the impact of previous interventions. The establishment of Safe Spaces was highlighted as a particularly successful element of the project, as they provide girls with a safe and supportive environment to express their concerns, receive counselling, and access essential health services.
While the visit provided a chance to celebrate the successes of ongoing interventions, it also shed light on the continuing challenges that need to be addressed. Teenage pregnancy and child marriage are deeply ingrained issues in many communities in Sierra Leone, where cultural norms and economic pressures often force young girls into early marriages and motherhood. Many girls in rural areas face barriers to education and are vulnerable to exploitation, making them more susceptible to the risks of early pregnancies and child marriages.
The project’s focus on cash transfers is a key component of breaking this cycle. By providing financial support, the initiative aims to reduce the economic pressures that often drive families to marry off their daughters at a young age. The cash transfer program is also expected to help improve access to education, healthcare, and other vital services, giving adolescent girls the opportunity to pursue their dreams without the fear of early marriage or pregnancy.
This partnership between ActionAid and UNICEF represents a bold and comprehensive effort to address the root causes of teenage pregnancy and child marriage in Sierra Leone. By working together with local communities, government officials, and other stakeholders, the initiative seeks to create lasting change and ensure that adolescent girls can grow up in an environment that supports their rights and aspirations.
In conclusion, the collaboration between ActionAid and UNICEF marks a crucial step in the fight against teenage pregnancy and child marriage in Sierra Leone.
With the support of local communities and the implementation of key interventions such as cash transfers and Safe Spaces, the project is poised to make a meaningful difference in the lives of thousands of adolescent girls, offering them hope and opportunities for a brighter future.
