The 4th Edition of the National Youth and Adolescent Family Planning Conference 2024 was a vibrant, transformative event that united over 250 young leaders from all 16 districts of Sierra Leone. Starting with an electrifying Pre-Conference Walk along Freetown’s Lumley Beach, young people marched with purpose, calling for an end to the barriers that limit access to essential family planning (FP) and sexual reproductive health (SRH) services. The message was clear: “Breaking Cycles, Building Futures.”
The conference drew key personalities, including UNFPA Country Representative Madam Nadia Rasheed, Deputy Minister of Health Dr. Charles Senesie, and leaders from USAID Momentum, Plan International, and FP2030. Their support underscored the urgent need to address youth-centered FP issues in Sierra Leone, where 36% of pregnancies occur among teenage girls, and maternal mortality remains critically high.
A highlight of the conference was the Hackathon Challenge, where young innovators tackled pressing family planning challenges in their districts. The standout teams—Kenema, Bo, Karene, and Kambia—presented solutions from last-mile FP delivery using motorized tricycles to real-time service feedback apps. These winning ideas were praised for their creativity and potential impact, and the young champions will now lead the implementation of their innovations in their communities.
As the conference concluded, one resounding request emerged from participants: to hold the next conference outside the capital, making it more accessible to communities across Sierra Leone. This call reflects a growing movement to bring family planning and reproductive health discussions closer to the heart of every community. With each year, the conference gains momentum as Sierra Leone’s young voices grow louder, calling for change, action, and investment in their future. The journey toward a healthier, empowered generation has only just begun.
