The Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), Madam Kenyeh Barlay, officially launched the 2025 State of the World Population Report and this year’s World Population Day (WPD) at a ceremony held on July 11, 2025 at the Multi-Purpose Hall, Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. The event was themed: “Empowering Young People to Create the Families They Want in a Fair and Hopeful World.”
In her keynote address, Madam Kenyeh Barlay highlighted the global significance of this year’s report, titled “The Real Fertility Crisis: The Pursuit of Reproductive Agency in a Changing World,” first unveiled by UNFPA on June 10 in Nairobi, Kenya. She emphasized that the focus is not on low fertility rates but on the global crisis of limited reproductive autonomy. Drawing on insights from over 14,000 respondents across 14 countries, the report debunks fears about declining fertility and instead reveals that economic hardship, systemic barriers and lack of access to reproductive health services are preventing people from having children when and how they wish.
“This is not just a demographic issue,” Madam Kenyeh Barlay stressed, “It is a human rights, development and justice issue. In Sierra Leone, we face the dual challenge of a fast-growing youthful population and ongoing unmet reproductive health needs. We must shift the narrative from population control to reproductive agency; from numbers to people.”
She noted progress in Sierra Leone, with the total fertility rate declining from 5.1 in 2008 to 4.2 in 2019, but pointed out significant disparities between rural and urban areas. The Minister raised concerns about continued adolescent pregnancies, early marriages, low contraceptive use and a lack of access to reproductive services in underserved communities.
Madam Kenyeh Barlay reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to tackling those challenges, citing President Julius Maada Bio’s human capital development agenda, the Free Quality School Education Programme, the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act and the National Youth Employment Scheme. She also mentioned that the newly launched Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030) prioritizes gender equality, youth development and inclusive social services.
“Reproductive freedom is not a luxury it is fundamental to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the ICPD Programme of Action and Sierra Leone’s national development vision,” she stated.
The Minister applauded the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and development partners for their unwavering support in promoting rights-based population policies. She appealed for increased investment in youth-led reproductive health programs, better national data systems, stronger health and social protection systems and greater support for community-based interventions, especially in marginalized and hard-to-reach areas.
She further called for strengthened accountability, stressing that rights are fulfilled through action and investment, not intention alone. She encouraged inclusive participation, especially of men and boys, in promoting gender equality and reproductive justice.
“We must ensure a future where choice is protected, dignity preserved and equity prioritized. This report must not sit on shelves; it must drive action, inform policies and guide investments that uphold the reproductive rights of every Sierra Leonean,” she concluded.
Other speakers at the event included UNFPA Sierra Leone Country Representative ,Nadia Rasheed and the Vice Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone, Professor Kelleh Mansaray, who warmly welcomed attendees.
The event also featured a panel discussion moderated by Islander Kabia with contributions from the Institute of Population and Development Studies, a Q&A session, screening of a short UNFPA video and a vote of thanks delivered by lecturer Fatmata Bangura.
The launch underscored Sierra Leone’s ongoing efforts to promote reproductive rights and inclusive development as the country joins the global community in marking World Population Day 2025.
