Source: Concord Times (Freetown)
Salone Youths and Adolescent Network on Population and Development (SalYAN), in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs, and with support from the United Nations Fund for Population (UNFPA),

has concluded a two-day advocacy dialogue forum on the challenges of teenage pregnancy in Makeni, Bombali district in northern Sierra Leone.

The event attracted stakeholders, including health development partners and school pupils, on the theme: "Breaking the Circles of Teenage Pregnancy and Early Marriage through Dialogue". The session also attracted a huge audience at the Sierra Leone Teachers Union hall on 30 and 31 August.

Bryan Randalls, Executive Chairman SalYAN, who also chaired the opening session, in his opening remarks said the organization has taken a bold step to addressing teenage pregnancy and early marriage, which he underscored is on the increase. The venture was meant to break the cycle of teenage pregnancy and early marriage and to increase awareness on the dangers they pose to socio-economic advancement, he said.

He reckoned teenage pregnancy and early marriage must be checked, as children or teenagers are the hope of the future. Randalls concluded by calling on government and health development partners to increase support to help save the lives of children.

Mohamed B. Koroma, National Coordinator of SalYAN, giving an overview of the forum, explained that the two-day dialogue was aimed at raising awareness in a bid to combat teenage pregnancy and early marriage through advocacy, training and sensitization. He added that the forum would look at issues of family planning methods, challenges and risks associated with teenage pregnancy and early marriage.

Kadie Samai, Component Manager in the Ministry of Youth Affairs, in charge of Adolescent and Young People Reproductive Health, said that 34% of teenage girls are currently pregnant in the country.

Ms. Adama Mansaray, who represented the Ministry of Social Welfare, said the forum was timely, and lauded the effort of donor health partners in the country.

Patricia Bah, from the National Secretariat for Reduction of Teenage Pregnancy, praised the effort of the government for setting up the secretariat, as 68% of teenagers have their first pregnancy between the ages of 12-19.

• Sierra Leone