Teen Ella

Ella learns about contraception

It’s one thing for a girl like Ella to want to prevent pregnancy, yet completely another to be able to do so.  

Half of women in Sierra Leone who have a child will give birth before their 20th birthday – facing motherhood before they even face adulthood.  

It’s a risk to their future in even the gravest sense: pregnancy complications are the leading cause of death for adolescent girls, not just in Sierra Leone but globally. Healthcare access is unequal and inadequate, and some girls will risk their life trying to end their pregnancy with an unsafe abortion. 

Contraception can be an effective, affordable solution, but many girls cannot access it. There are barriers in their way.  

For one, they might never have heard of it. Especially in rural communities, information on sexual health and services aren’t always available. Ella didn’t learn about contraception until her last year of secondary school. For some, that’s simply too late.  

Some families might not support it. If it gets back to a girl’s parents that she was seen at a family planning clinic, she could suffer repercussions. It’s not unheard of for parents to take their daughter back to have their contraception removed. 

Myths frequently circulate, with teenagers being told inaccurate things like:

Contraception is only for married people.
Using contraception means you’re promiscuous.
It can cause lifelong infertility.

In many communities, misinformation and stigma runs deep. So does young people’s fear and confusion.   

Ella admits she was scared. “I heard a lot of disadvantages.”  

It’s no surprise given these obstacles, that adolescents’ unmet need for contraception is about 3x higher than for all women.  

A choice shaped by those around her  

Ella first considered using contraception at school, after an awareness talk at assembly piqued her interest.  

MSI hosts talks and school clubs to get accurate, helpful information on sexual and reproductive health in front of young people.  

When Ella told her best friends Mediza and Hawa that she wanted to try it, they were unsure whether she should. Their opinions were muddled from the scary things they’d been told about contraception by older community members. But they understood where she was coming from and curious to see what affect it would have.  

Hawa said, “She’s like a sister to me. I know how important Ella's career and future is to her, so for her to learn about these contraceptives has had a big impact.” 

Her mother Lallay is another strong influence in Ella’s life. She’s had the personal experience of becoming pregnant while young and still in school, and uses herself as an example to guide Ella down a different path.  

“Back in the day we didn’t have access to this prevention, but now everything is more out in the open. I wouldn’t want my girl to get pregnant now as it will affect her education. So I talked with her and she listened to my advice and continues with her studies.” 

In Sierra Leone, it can be rare to have this level of support and guidance from a parent. It has had a huge influence on Ella’s decision. 

Lallay hugs her daughter and smiles. “For Ella's future, I have great hope – she is going to be somebody.”  

The support from Ella’s inner circle is the result of a turning tide, from decades of community education and awareness building around the benefits of contraception.  

MSI Sierra Leone has worked with local partners to advocate for young people to be able to access these services. Partnered closely with the government behind the scenes to create better policies. Engaged directly with communities, schools and leaders to build support.  

Because young people like Ella don’t make decisions like this in isolation.  

After learning about contraception in school and talking with her loved ones, she landed on her position:

“I wanted to try it for myself.”  

Ella meets MSI

Just as Ella felt ready, she came across MSI while scrolling on TikTok. A Sierra Leonean lady talking through different contraceptive methods.  

MSI’s informative digital and radio campaigns reach thousands of young people to make sure they know about their rights and options.   

She decided MSI was the place she would go. Her nerves were high but when she entered the clinic and approached the front desk, she found the receptionist calm and kind. 

“I felt good because there was someone willing to talk to a teenage girl like me. That made me know MSI was legit.”  

She’d done her research and knew what she wanted before the appointment: the contraceptive injection. She discussed it with the MSI nurse and felt comfortable with her choice.  

Waiting for any side effects, Ella was pleased that the only thing she noticed was some signs of period spotting that disappeared soon enough.  

Her experience was a simple and good one.  

“MSI lets girls have access to these types of services, because it really helps us. I even got some of my peers to start using contraception.” 

Now Ella has peace of mind and can focus on her goal of becoming a nurse.