EmpowerHER: Transforming sexual and reproductive health and rights in Sierra Leone

This project aims to enhance enjoyment of Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) of adolescent girls and women in 480 rural communities with high child marriage prevalence across the Bombali Falaba Kambia Karene Koinadugu Moyamba and Tonkolili Districts of Sierra Leone. Project activities include: (1) improving the capacity of peripheral health units health professionals and the knowledge of women and adolescent girls to increase the use of family planning and sexually transmitted infections services among women and adolescent girls; (2) improving the capacity of intermediaries (including community leaders teachers and health providers) to advocate for women and adolescent girls’ sexual and reproductive rights including decision making on marriage; (3) strengthening Mothers’ Clubs’ capacity to promote and support educational access and retention for girls especially girls at risk of child early and forced marriage; (4) engaging district governments and key stakeholders to ensure the fulfillment of women and adolescent girls’ sexual and reproductive rights; and (5) raising community members’ awareness of women’s and girls’ SRHR and the detrimental impact of child marriage. Implemented in partnership with CAUSE Sierra Leone the project expects to directly benefit approximately 240 000 people living in rural areas across Sierra Leone.

The expected outcomes for this project include: (1) increased use of family planning and sexually transmitted infections (STI) services among women and adolescent girls; (2) enhanced protection and promotion of women’s and adolescent girls’ sexual and reproductive rights by governments and community leaders; and (3) improved social practices of communities supporting women’s and adolescent girls’ autonomy and decision-making on their SRHR (family planning STI and early and forced marriage).