Sierra Leone has taken important steps towards democracy. The country held presidential elections in 2007 and local elections in 2008, and many people believe that the elections in 2012 will strengthen peace and democracy.
The violent civil war in Sierra Leone lasted from 1991 to 2002. Sierra Leone’s poverty reduction strategy states that poverty will fall to the lowest level since 1990, before the war.
Seven out of 10 people in Sierra Leone are living in extreme poverty today and the infant mortality rate is the highest in the world. Children are suffering enormously from malnutrition and illness. Unicef is working for children in Sierra Leone.
Despite the extreme poverty, economic growth in Sierra Leone has been between 7 and 9 per cent in recent years. However, a small elite has the power and financial assets, while most people in the rural areas find it hard to provide food for themselves on a daily basis. Although most people have land, the lack of clean water, electricity and passable roads means that the soil does not provide as much food as it could.
More than half of all young people are unemployed. Many of them grew up during the war years and have never had the chance to learn to read and write.
Women illiterate
Women are particularly vulnerable. Seven out of 10 women are illiterate. Sexual violence is common and female circumcision is permitted. For girls, going to school can represent a risk. The legal system, which few trust, discriminates against women and young people.
Sweden has been providing humanitarian aid to Sierra Leone for many years. This has resulted in displaced people being able to return home and child soldiers returning to their families. Our efforts will now also include improving schools at different levels.
Sida’s prioritized areas in Sierra Leone are:
- Access to good quality basic education for everyone
- Greater access to market-driven vocational training and higher education for women and unemployed young people.
Read more about our work in Sierra Leone.
