Empowering Youth for Effective SRHR Advocacy and Policy Engagement in Sierra Leone
Project Overview
This initiative is designed to harness the dynamic energy of Sierra Leone’s youth to advance the Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) agenda. By focusing on informed advocacy and Meaningful Youth Engagement (MYE), the project will equip young people with essential SRHR knowledge, advocacy skills, and policy engagement techniques. The goal is to nurture a generation of well-informed advocates who can effectively articulate their needs and assert their rights. Additionally, the project aims to stimulate youth-led advocacy initiatives that address contextually relevant SRHR issues within their communities.
Through informed advocacy and Meaningful Youth Engagement (MYE), we aim to:-
Educate Youth
Provide comprehensive SRHR education, including understanding reproductive health, rights, and services.
Build Advocacy Skills
Train young advocates in effective communication, strategic advocacy, and campaign management.
Foster Policy Engagement
Equip youth with tools and techniques for engaging with
policymakers and contributing to policy discussions.
Promote Community Action
Encourage youth-led initiatives to address local SRHR issues and drive community change.
Youth Demography
Sierra Leone has a predominantly youthful population, with approximately 70% of its citizens under 35. Of particular note, 30% of the population is between 18 and 35, constituting around 49% of the countrys labor force. Historically, the African Charter defined youth in Sierra Leone as those between 15 and 35 years of age. However, the current national youth policy now emphasizes younger individuals below the age of 29, reflecting a commitment to more inclusive youth engagement. The National Youth Policy further categorizes youth into various groups such as rural and urban, male and female, adolescents and adults, physically challenged and able-bodied, educated and uneducated, in-school and out-of-school, organized and unorganized, and skilled and unskilled.
Recent consultations and interviews have highlighted several key priorities and challenges facing Sierra Leonean youth. Unemployment and a lack of livelihood opportunities are significant issues, with many young people struggling to find meaningful employment. Additionally, gaps in skills and limited access to vocational training hinder job prospects.
Youth engagement in policy-making is currently limited, and substance abuse remains a pressing concern, with drugs such as Kush (cannabis) and tobacco affecting many young lives. There are notable opportunities available for Sierra Leonean youth.
The National Youth Policy (2020 – 2025) emphasizes three main areas: livelihood opportunities through education and training, addressing GBV and discrimination against female youth, and promoting youth participation in policy discussions. Other key initiatives include the National Strategy for the Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy and Child Marriage (2018 – 2022) and the Male Involvement Strategy for the Prevention of SGBV. These policies and strategies offer a framework for enhancing youth development and participation.
Youth Spotlight
Discussions with various organizations and government officials reveal several challenges and opportunities for Sierra Leonean youth. Economic challenges such as high unemployment, strict regulations on access to finance, urbanization, and brain drain have been identified. The lack of youth-focused economic policies and limited funding for entrepreneurs and youth organizations are also significant barriers.
Skills gaps and limited opportunities for rural youth and those with disabilities further exacerbate these challenges. Political and health-related issues also affect youth, including limited inclusion in decision-making processes and high rates of drug abuse.
However, there are opportunities for youth engagement, such as the National Youth Service, various government projects targeting marginalized youth, and increasing digital connectivity that can facilitate positive influence.
The Sierra Leonean government actively addresses these issues through various initiatives, including job creation projects, skills development programs, and efforts to combat drug abuse. It has established several structures to support youth, and the Ministry of Youth Affairs is dedicated to addressing all youth-related issues. The National Youth Commission, created to focus on job creation and the implementation of livelihood initiatives, works alongside the National Youth Council, which includes elected youth members overseeing various activities. At the district level, 16 district youth councils report to the national council, while 118 chiefdom- level youth councils report to the district councils. The Presidential Youth Envoy, Youth Connekt Hubs, and ongoing policy reviews reflect a commitment to improving youth conditions and involvement in policy-making.
Our Coalition
This project is powered by a coalition of dedicated organizations promoting SRHR advocacy and youth engagement. Our coalition members include the following:
