By John Baimba Sesay
As dawn breaks and hope stirs, the health and well-being of women become the true measure of a nation’s aspirations. In rural clinics across Sierra Leone—from Alkalia in the north, where dedicated health workers welcome newborns amid challenges, to Pujehun in the south, where midwives empower communities—progress is visible. Yet, this progress is fragile, hinging on sustained support for women’s health.
The journey of women, marked by both hardship and triumph, shapes not only their own futures but the destiny of entire nations. For adolescent girls and young women, opportunities for health and empowerment today determine their prospects tomorrow. The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the agency championing sexual and reproductive health, plays an indispensable role in advancing these rights.
UNFPA’s Crucial Contributions
In 2021, UNFPA supported Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Health by supplying essential equipment for maternal and newborn care, as well as cervical cancer screening. By early 2023, it had delivered reproductive health commodities worth over $576,000 to meet the family planning needs of women and girls. In 2024, its contributions included 2.5 million condoms and extensive midwife training—further solidifying its role in progress.
Midwives are vital to achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 3, which focuses on good health and well-being. They play a crucial role in reducing maternal mortality, preventing child deaths, and ensuring universal access to reproductive healthcare. The evidence is undeniable: Sierra Leone’s maternal mortality ratio has fallen by 74% since 2000, a testament to the impact of global partnerships like UNFPA.
The Threat of Funding Cuts
Such achievements rely heavily on international support. Development partnerships help bridge critical health gaps and accelerate progress toward the UN Sustainable Development Goals. A recent UNFPA expert consultation on maternal health reinforced that addressing maternal well-being is inseparable from tackling broader development challenges—including climate change, education, and food security.
However, the United States’ decision to withdraw its $180 million annual funding from UNFPA poses a significant threat. This funding sustains life-saving interventions for millions of women and adolescent girls, particularly in vulnerable regions such as Afghanistan and Sierra Leone, where UNFPA has contributed to drastic maternal mortality reductions.
Between 2010 and 2020, Sierra Leone’s maternal mortality rate dropped from 837 to 443 deaths per 100,000 live births—an extraordinary gain facilitated by sustained international collaboration.
A Call to Action
The United States should reconsider its decision, given its global leadership role and longstanding commitment to advancing health and human rights. Continued investment in UNFPA helps ensure a world where no woman dies from preventable pregnancy-related causes.
Beyond international support, national governments must step up to implement sustainable strategies. Increased budget allocations for health sectors are essential to closing existing gaps. Now, more than ever, strong leadership and investment are crucial to safeguarding the progress already made.