By Saidu Jalloh, Reporter
Freetown, Sierra Leone – On July 11, 2025, Madam Kenyah Barlay, the Minister of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), officially launched the 2025 State of the World Population Report during a ceremony at the Multi-Purpose Hall of Fourah Bay College, University of Sierra Leone. This event coincided with World Population Day (WPD) and centered around the theme, “Empowering Young People to Create the Families They Want in a Fair and Hopeful World.”
In her keynote address, Minister Barlay highlighted the report titled “The Real Fertility Crisis: The Pursuit of Reproductive Agency in a Changing World,” which was globally unveiled by UNFPA on June 10 in Nairobi, Kenya. She expressed gratitude to UNFPA Sierra Leone for its commitment to advancing national dialogue and action on population and development.
“The central message of the 2025 report is bold and necessary: the real crisis is not low fertility but the lack of reproductive autonomy,” Barlay stated. The report draws insights from over 14,000 individuals across 14 countries, challenging the prevailing narrative that declining fertility rates are inherently problematic. It emphasizes that many people still wish to have children, yet face barriers such as economic insecurity and social pressure.
The Minister underscored that this issue transcends demographics; it is fundamentally a human rights and development matter. She urged stakeholders to shift the conversation from population control to reproductive agency, focusing on people rather than mere numbers.
Contextually, Barlay noted that Sierra Leone is at a crossroads, grappling with a rapidly growing youth population and unmet reproductive health needs. She reported that the country’s total fertility rate has decreased from 5.1 in 2008 to 4.2 in 2019, yet disparities persist between urban and rural areas. Adolescent pregnancies and early marriages continue to hinder the potential of girls and young women, while access to contraceptives remains uneven.
The pursuit of reproductive agency, Barlay emphasized, is essential for human capital development, aligning with initiatives championed by His Excellency, President Julius Maada Bio, including the Free Quality School Education Programme and the National Youth Employment Scheme.
“Our new Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030) prioritizes gender mainstreaming, youth development, and inclusive social services,” she stated. “Reproductive freedom is not a luxury; it is a prerequisite for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and our national development ambitions.”
Barlay commended UNFPA and development partners for their ongoing support and appealed to all stakeholders to invest in transformative, youth-led programs, strengthen health and social protection systems, and mobilize resources for community-based interventions.
She stressed the importance of accountability, stating that rights are only fulfilled through action and investment. “Young people are not just beneficiaries; they are drivers of this conversation,” she affirmed, emphasizing the need for their voices and leadership.
In closing, Barlay called for a collective vision where choice, dignity, and equity are prioritized in all population and development policies. “The report should not sit on shelves but ignite action and inform policy that upholds the reproductive rights of every Sierra Leonean.”
The event featured a panel discussion moderated by Islander Kabia, with contributions from stakeholders including the UNFPA Country Representative and Professor Kelleh Mansaray, Vice Chancellor of the University of Sierra Leone. Attendees engaged in a question-and-answer session and viewed a short UNFPA video.
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