By: Sahrfoa Matturie
A three-day national conference organized by AHF Sierra Leone in partnership with Happy Kids has ended with young people calling for greater investment in menstrual health services, mental health support, and protection for vulnerable adolescents across Sierra Leone.
The conference, held from May 26 to 28 to mark World Menstrual Hygiene Day, brought together more than 100 young participants from Bombali, Moyamba, Tonkolili, Bo, Kenema, and Freetown, while an additional 40 to 60 participants joined virtually.
This year’s event focused on menstrual hygiene management and broader issues affecting young people, including mental health challenges, drug abuse, child marriage, and other social vulnerabilities.
In her opening remarks, Esther Tebbs said the conference was designed to provide a safe and inclusive space for young people to discuss issues affecting their health, dignity, and future.
She noted that many girls and young women continue to face stigma and misinformation surrounding menstruation, while challenges such as substance abuse, teenage pregnancy, and child marriage remain major threats to the wellbeing and education of adolescents.
According to Tebbs, menstrual health should not be treated as a taboo subject, stressing that access to sanitary products, reproductive health education, and psychosocial support remains limited, particularly in rural communities.
“At the end of this conference, we want young people to become ambassadors in their communities by sharing the knowledge gained here and helping to break the silence surrounding menstrual health and mental wellbeing,” she said.
At the close of the conference, participants developed a joint “Call to Action” urging government, civil society organizations, and community stakeholders to increase investment in menstrual health services, strengthen mental health support systems, and intensify awareness campaigns against child marriage and drug abuse.
The participants also called on schools and communities to create safe spaces where girls can openly discuss menstrual health without fear, shame, or discrimination.
Titi Medisha Koroma from Bombali District, representing Happy Kids, said one of the key issues discussed was the widespread misconceptions surrounding menstruation among adolescents and within communities.
She explained that many girls continue to face stigma and embarrassment during their menstrual periods due to myths and misinformation.
Koroma said the conference helped her better understand menstrual hygiene, self-confidence, and the importance of educating peers on reproductive health issues.
“I have learnt that menstruation is a natural biological process and not something girls should be ashamed of,” she said. “Many young people are still misinformed, so when I return to my peers, I will help educate them and correct some of the misconceptions people have about menstrual health.”
She pledged to use the knowledge gained from the conference to promote open discussions on menstrual hygiene and mental health among young people in her community.
Participants described the conference as timely and impactful, noting that many adolescents lack access to accurate information and youth-friendly health services.
The event concluded with renewed commitments from organizers and participants to continue advocating for the rights, dignity, and wellbeing of young people across Sierra Leone.
