How Engaging Girls in Education Reforms Can Empower Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone’s government has made important strides in expanding access to education for girls. However, many girls in vulnerable situations continue to be at risk of exclusion from school. According to a report jointly released by Human Rights Watch and Purposeful, the Sierra Leone government needs to prioritize girls’ views and experiences to overcome these challenges. Despite the groundbreaking 2021 National Policy on Radical Inclusion in Schools, pregnant girls, young mothers, and others remain excluded from schools based on discriminatory and cultural practices.

### Challenges Faced by Girls in Accessing Education

According to the report, various factors contribute to girls’ exclusion from education, including poverty, pregnancy, cultural practices, stigma, bullying, and lack of childcare. Girls in poor areas are at a higher risk of early pregnancy and are often coerced or pressured into sex by men promising them important necessities such as food, clothing, or other material support.

Furthermore, girls and young women face significant barriers in accessing contraception and receiving accurate information about contraception. They often receive inconsistent support from society in difficult circumstances, which can discourage them from pursuing education.

However, when girls encounter a supportive environment, they are more resilient and more likely to stay in school. For instance, by providing counseling services that empathize with their circumstances and share their stories, schools can assist girls in developing a sense of agency and perseverance.

### Progress Made by Sierra Leone’s Government

Sierra Leone’s government has declared education as a national priority. In 2018, it launched the Free Quality Education Programme which abolished school and exam fees, enabled greater access to school meals programs, and significantly increased public spending on education. Recently, in 2023, Sierra Leone’s parliament enacted the Basic and Senior Secondary Education Act.

The United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child guarantees free and compulsory primary education while the African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child calls for countries to ensure pregnant girls can continue their education based on their individual ability.

### Way Forward

Sierra Leone’s government must simultaneously address poverty, sexual and reproductive health, and exploitation risks if it is to make good on its promise. It can start by listening closely to girls and civil society groups that support them in understanding what girls need to enroll in school, complete their education, and utilize their education to establish brighter futures.

Girls’ education advancement is not just a social imperative but a human right. Empowering girls via education has been established as a critical driver of progress in society. Therefore, Sierra Leone’s progress in expanding access to education should be celebrated, but more systemic changes are necessary to overcome the cultural and societal challenges that persist.

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