THE WOMAN’S PLACE FOUNDATION LAUNCHES IN FREETOWN: ADVANCING WOMEN’S AND ADOLESCENT HEALTH IN SIERRA LEONE

On the radiant morning of July 11th, 2025, the TWPF Hospital Complex at Murray Town, Freetown, buzzed with anticipation and hope. The turnout was nothing short of remarkable: health professionals, government dignitaries, community leaders, students, mothers, and fathers gathered, united by a single vision: to witness the official launch of The Woman’s Place Foundation (TWPF).

This was the formalization of a movement; one that has quietly, intentionally, and persistently shaped adolescent and women’s health across Sierra Leone for years.

The Heartbeat: Dr. Frances Ramatu Wurie’s Story

Dr. Frances Wurie, obstetrician/gynecologist, founder, and convener of TWPF, took the stage with humility and pride. Her journey began in 2016, shaped by experiences at Makerere University in Uganda, where she saw first-hand the universal gaps in health knowledge. Returning to Sierra Leone, she launched a weekly health information TV show, “TWP,” and later established The Woman’s Place Medical Centre in 2021.

Dr. Wurie’s vision is deeply personal. She recounted stories of a twelve-year-old girl, brought in by her single father, and a 34-year-old first-time mother: both seeking guidance in a society where conversations about reproductive health are often taboo. These encounters crystallized her mission: to create a safe, informed space for girls and women, breaking cycles of silence and misinformation.

“We are not afraid to call things by their names, and we do not shy away from dealing with complex topics. We are proud to be equipping the next generation with essential health information.” – Dr Frances Ramatu Wurie

Why TWPF? The Need, the Data, the Drive

Sierra Leone’s adolescent girls and women face daunting health challenges:

• Adolescent pregnancies:21 million pregnancies among 15–19-year-olds in LMICs annually; 50% unintended, leading to 12 million births.

• Unsafe abortions:55% of unintended pregnancies among adolescents end in abortion, often unsafe.

• Maternal health risks: Adolescent mothers face higher risks of complications; maternal deaths account for 25% of all deaths among women and girls aged 15–49.

• Violence and mental health: One in three women under 50 experiences physical or sexual violence; women are more prone to anxiety and depression.

TWPF is not just responding to these statistics; it is rewriting the narrative. The foundation’s work spans adolescent health symposia, antenatal classes, mental health awareness, and social media outreach, impacting hundreds of lives already.

The Blueprint for Impact: Seven Pillars of TWPF

Ariana Oluwole, board member and holistic educator, laid out TWPF’s ambitious, actionable blueprint:

1. Strengthening Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health Education

   • Community-based, age-appropriate programs

   • Consistent, locally-driven interventions

2. Scaling Women’s Health and Maternal Education

   • Integrating nutrition, mental health, and postpartum recovery

   • Learning from regional successes (e.g., Tanzania’s maternal mortality reduction)

3. Mental Health Integration

   • Ongoing research into postpartum depression, FGM trauma, and more

   • Translating data into policy and practice

4. Engaging Men

   • Male engagement models through dialogue and education

   • Building informed allies, not passive observers

5. Continuing Professional Development

   • Training for health workers in clinical and compassionate care

   • Building sustainable, learning health systems

6. Community and Family Mobilization

   • Normalizing conversations about periods, mental health, and maternal care

   • Empowering girls and supporting mothers as a societal imperative

7. Research and Policy Advocacy

   • Evidence-based advocacy for policies like the Safe Motherhood Bill

   • Engaging donors and development partners for scalable impact

Voices from the Launch

The event was rich with heartfelt speeches and testimonies; notably

Dr. Francis Moses, Director of Reproductive and Child Health at the Ministry of Health, delivered a keynote address that resonated deeply with the audience and launched the initiative. During his speech he reflected on his own school days, expressing a heartfelt wish that such comprehensive, contextual sexual health education had been available to him and his peers. Dr. Moses emphasized that the integration of mental health support from conception through all stages of motherhood is not just beneficial but essential for lasting impact. He also highlighted the importance of including boys in these conversations, quoting a male participant from the Sierra Leone Grammar School and affirming that respecting women is fundamental to improving maternal and adolescent health outcomes.

Other notable statements came from Dr. Haja Abibatu Jalloh, who stressed the urgent need for mental health integration in adolescent and maternal care, a representative from Adolescent/School Health, and Mr. Gassama, who underscored the value of community partnerships.

Testimonies from an antenatal class attendee and adolescent symposium participants brought the foundation’s work to life, sharing how TWPF’s programs have empowered them with knowledge and confidence.

The event’s energy was further elevated by an impactful skit from the BJ Theatre Group and a heartfelt vote of thanks by Mariatu Sesay, rounding out a launch defined by community, collaboration, and hope for the future.

Adolescent and antenatal class attendees(Barack Tondoneh from the Sierra Leone Grammar School and Esther Pambu) shared how TWPF’s programs demystified health topics, empowered them, and fostered a sense of belonging.

A highlight was the powerful skit by the BJ Theatre Group, bringing to life the challenges and triumphs of women’s health journeys.

The event ended with a rousing vote of thanks by Mariatu Sesay and a wave of pledges and donations, signalling a groundswell of community support.

Meet the Team Carrying the Vision

TWPF’s board brings together a dynamic blend of expertise and passion:

• Frances Wurie– Founder, Convener, and medical visionary

• Ariana Oluwole– Holistic educator and executive coach

• Jowo Aberdeen– Champion of reproductive health

• Ferenkeh Koroma– Advocate for male involvement and community engagement

The Call to Action

TWPF’s launch is not the beginning, but the next chapter in a story of resilience, innovation, and hope. The foundation is calling on:

• Government leaders to fund and implement robust health systems

• Health professionals to provide compassionate, up-to-date care

• Communities and families to break taboos and support open dialogue

• Donors and partners to invest in scalable, evidence-based programs

“We are not waiting for perfect conditions. We are building with what we have: evidence, experience, community trust, and the will to act.”-  Ariana Oluwole

Why You Should Join the Movement

Whether you are a health worker, parent, policymaker, donor, or young person, TWPF’s vision is one you can be part of. Every conversation, every class, every act of support brings Sierra Leone closer to a future where healthy girls become healthy women and healthy women build strong, thriving communities.

The Woman’s Place Foundation: Better health. Better you.

For more on Dr. Frances Wurie’s journey, see the feature: “The Good Doctor That Is Positively Influencing the Sexual Reproductive Health System in Sierra Leone.”