PPASL Engages Police, Military & Others On Sexual Reproductive Health Issues

By Marilyn king

The Planned Parenthood Association of Sierra Leone (PPASL) has engaged men in forces (Police, Military, Fire Force, and Prison Officers) on Gender Transformative Approach (GTA) on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) programming.
This event was held at the YACAN Office in Freetown on Monday 20th January 2025.
Speaking at the event the Acting Executive Director of PPASL, Adolphus E.T Buckley, said that for this project, they targeted male dominated institutions, like Fourah Bay College, Milton Margai Technical University, Freetown Fire Force and Tombo Fishing Community.
He furthered that the main objective was to empower male partners, spouses, or boyfriends as the case maybe to encourage their wives and partners to practice family planning, taking into consideration several factors, including economic realities, of the health repercussions on women as a result of frequent pregnancies.
He maintained that they have also realised that when talking about family planning, the men folk must not only be aware, but to play a supportive role in the family planning.
He noted that the engagement is to target men folks from forces, including the Freetown Fire Force on Sexual Reproductive Health Right (SRHR) issues.
He said even though it is the condom which is available for the men folk but that their supportive role can include reminding their spouses about taking their pills or even when it relates to sexually transmitted infections the treatment is for both the male and female.
He mentioned that as an Association they hope that the workshop and further engagement will provide insight into some of the burning health issues about separation in some homes.
He expressed hope that at the end of the engagement they (participants) will serve as champion in promoting Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights issues in their different places of work and communities and the nation at large.
The Honorary President of PPASL, Hassan Fuad Kanu, said that it is important for them to know about family planning.
He continued that Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights is very important to many men, noting that there are many men who are walking in the streets of Freetown and other towns in Sierra Leone who are not complete men, not because they do not have the strength to walk but because of their organ which is supposed to represent them as men is either faulty or damaged.
He said men who have girls at home should be able to engage their girls and discuss with them because them don’t know what is Sexual Reproductive Health issues, and asked their girls question about the colour of their menstrual cycle, and that particular colour can inform them whether their girls are going through problems or not.
He concluded that they should also ask their girls the frequency of their menstrual period.
The Warrant Officer Class 1 of the 34 Military Hospital WOI Sesay said that PPASL engaged them to know about good reproductive health. That as representatives from their institutions, they can pass on the message to their fellow men and dependents that are living together at home and communities.
He said it nice to explain the danger in sexual Reproductive Health Right.
He thanked PPASL for the engagement with them in the forces, and acknowledged that they now know the Sexual Reproductive Health Rights, and they too can pass on the information to their colleagues, loved ones, family and friends who are not present.