The Opportunities for Social and Behaviour Change Study conducted in Kailahun District focuses on addressing the high rates of adolescent pregnancy and child marriage in Sierra Leone. The study, carried out by Save the Children International, identifies key social and cultural drivers of these issues, including poverty, peer pressure, and the lack of parental control and awareness. Through Participatory Action Research (PAR) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), the study engaged community members, leaders, and youth to explore the local context and find actionable solutions to reduce adolescent pregnancy and early marriage. It highlights the significant role of education, improved gender equality, and community-driven responses in tackling these challenges.
The findings underscore the interconnection between adolescent pregnancy and child marriage, revealing that teenage pregnancy often leads to cohabitation and, eventually, child marriage. Participants expressed that economic hardship and the desire for financial stability drive many adolescent girls into relationships with older men. Additionally, traditional gender norms and peer influence contribute to the perpetuation of these practices. However, there is a growing recognition of the importance of education and gender equality, with many community members seeing it as a key factor in delaying child marriage and improving girls' futures. The study also notes the role of social media and unsupervised activities like dances, which increase vulnerability to these risks.
The study’s recommendations focus on developing contextually relevant social and behaviour change (SBC) strategies, emphasizing the need for a multisectoral approach involving parents, religious and traditional leaders, youth, and local authorities. It calls for tailored programs to engage young people, particularly boys and men, as change agents, and highlights the importance of continued education and economic support for vulnerable girls. The insights gathered are being used to design a replicable model for ending child marriage and adolescent pregnancy, with the goal of scaling successful interventions to other regions in Sierra Leone.