By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
In commemoration of International Condom Day, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) joined the Ministry of Health, the National AIDS Secretariat, UNAIDS, AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), young people and other stakeholders to officially launch the National Strategy for Condom Programming in Sierra Leone. The event, held at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown on February 14, 2025, aimed to enhance access to and utilization of condoms, particularly among young people and underserved communities.
The newly launched strategy is designed to prevent unintended pregnancies, HIV and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) through four key pillars: increasing condom accessibility and utilization, enhancing demand and promoting correct and consistent usage, strengthening supply chain management and reducing stigma while addressing misconceptions surrounding condom use.
Deputy Minister of Health, Prof. Dr. Charles Senessie, expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts of key partners in advancing Sierra Leone’s health sector. He acknowledged the country’s ongoing challenges in addressing STIs and emphasized the importance of partnerships in achieving national health objectives.
“As a Ministry of Health, we cannot achieve our goals alone and we deeply value our partners’ alignment with our mission. The statistics on condom use, less than 5% among women and 20% among men, call for urgent action to ensure availability, accessibility and consistent use,” said Dr. Charles Senessie. He further stressed the need for condom customization to encourage greater acceptability and use.
The Deputy Minister highlighted the strategy’s objectives, which include improving coordination, boosting demand, strengthening supply chain systems and enhancing data collection for policy development over the next five years. He also urged continued engagement and digital access to the strategy, reinforcing the Government’s commitment to safeguarding future generations through informed sexual health choices.
Representing UNFPA, Sebeso Lumuma emphasized the agency’s unwavering support for Sierra Leone’s reproductive health goals, particularly in ensuring condom availability and utilization.
“This strategy marks a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s efforts to improve sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Despite condoms being safe, affordable and effective, their consistent use remains a challenge for many, especially among key and marginalized communities,” Sebeso Lumuma stated.
She highlighted the comprehensive nature of the strategy, which integrates education, awareness and community engagement to foster a culture of informed condom use. The UNFPA representative further outlined Agency’s commitments, including: strengthening reproductive health supply chains to ensure condom availability nationwide, expanding access to youth-friendly reproductive health services, empowering young people with knowledge and informed choices, advocating for increased investments in family planning and condom programming, including addressing a $4.4 million funding gap for full implementation of the strategy.
“As we launch this strategy, our work is just beginning. The success of this initiative depends on collective action from the Government, development partners, private sector and young people. We must challenge the stigma surrounding condom use and advocate for sustained investments in reproductive health,” she concluded.
The Director General of the National AIDS Secretariat, Abdul Raheem Sesay, lauded the collaborative efforts behind the strategy’s development. He described the document as a crucial guide in addressing public health challenges, created through extensive consultations with multi-sectoral partners, including civil society and the private sector.
He acknowledged initial challenges in drafting the strategy, noting that early versions failed to meet quality standards. However, through continued collaboration, a comprehensive and effective framework was developed. He also recognized the support from UNFPA and UNAIDS in strengthening HIV and STI prevention efforts and urged continued dialogue to ensure successful implementation.
UNAIDS Country Representative, Jane Kalweo ,underscored the urgency of intensifying HIV prevention efforts as the global community approaches the 2030 target of ending AIDS as a public health threat. She emphasized the need for equitable access to prevention tools, including condoms, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), post-exposure prophylaxis and voluntary medical male circumcision.
“Despite the wide availability of prevention tools, new infections persist, highlighting gaps in accessibility and education. Governments must prioritize robust prevention programs that meet people where they are, ensuring all options remain affordable and accessible,” Jane Kalweo stated.
She also noted the alarming decline in condom use across several countries, despite their proven effectiveness in preventing STIs and unintended pregnancies. Jane Kalweo called for increased investment in condom distribution, education and social marketing to ensure widespread and sustained condom use.
The launch of Sierra Leone’s National Condom Strategy represents a pivotal step toward addressing sexual and reproductive health challenges in the country. With strong backing from UNFPA, UNAIDS, the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders, the strategy aims to foster a healthier and more informed population through comprehensive condom programming.
As the initiative moves forward, its success will depend on consistent advocacy, policy support and the active participation of communities in embracing condom use as a critical component of sexual and reproductive health. The collective commitment of all stakeholders signals a promising future for reproductive health advancements in Sierra Leone.
