By Josephine Sesay
On Friday, February 21, 2025, Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health hosted a one-day public engagement event at Fourah Bay College (FBC) in Freetown. The event, held at the FBC Multipurpose Hall, focused on educating students and young people about the newly passed Safe Motherhood Bill, aimed at improving maternal health and addressing the dangers women face during pregnancy and childbirth.
Dr. Jalikatu Mustapha, the Deputy Minister of Health, delivered the opening speech, addressing the importance of the Safe Motherhood Bill. She highlighted the tragic reality that many young women and girls in Sierra Leone have died during pregnancy and childbirth due to unsafe abortion methods. “The government and the ministry have observed that, over the past years, young people and women have died during pregnancy and childbirth, particularly those who sought to terminate their pregnancies using unsafe, backyard methods,” she explained.
Dr. Mustapha went on to clarify that the government had passed the bill to protect women and ensure they have access to safe procedures. The bill provides provisions for legal abortion under specific circumstances, including.
- If the pregnancy resulted from rape.
- If the pregnancy was a result of incest.
- If the life of the pregnant woman is at risk.
She further emphasized that the bill was a significant step toward reducing maternal mortality and ensuring that women have access to proper healthcare during pregnancy.
The Minister of Information, Mohamed Rahman Swaray, also addressed the gathering, focusing on dispelling misconceptions surrounding the Safe Motherhood Bill. In his speech, he explained the bill’s multiple benefits, such as reducing unsafe abortions, curbing early pregnancies, and promoting overall women’s health. The bill also includes provisions for parental consent for minors and encourages married couples to have private, one-on-one conversations before making reproductive health decisions.
He also reassured the audience that, religious leaders in Sierra Leone supported the bill, particularly after the Deputy Minister clarified the circumstances under which abortion would be legally allowed. “The religious community has endorsed the bill because they recognize the importance of protecting women’s lives and ensuring safe reproductive health practices,” Swaray noted.
The Ministry of Health and the Sierra Leone government have made it clear that they are committed not only to supporting women during pregnancy but also to addressing complications that can arise during childbirth. The Safe Motherhood Bill is a critical component in reducing maternal deaths, eliminating unsafe abortion practices, and combating early pregnancies that contribute to stigmatization.
As part of their efforts to raise awareness, the Ministry of Health is spreading the message of the bill through various sensitization programs, ensuring that the public understands the bill’s importance and the protections it offers.
This engagement event underscores the government’s proactive approach to maternal health and its efforts to involve young people in conversations that could help shape the future of reproductive health in Sierra Leone.