Effective Altruism Needs a Gender Lens    Read More

Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone has the third highest maternal mortality rate in the world. Many women give birth at home, without medical help, which increases their likelihood of developing complications like fistula.

Why We Work in Sierra Leone

Sierra Leone underwent a brutal civil war from 1991-2002, which forced hundreds of thousands of people from their homes, destroyed infrastructure, and decimated the economy. Then, the 2014 Ebola outbreak further weakened the economy. Unemployment remains high today, and medical care is non-existent or difficult to access, especially in rural regions of the country.

Despite strides in maternal and child health care, Sierra Leone’s maternal health outcomes remain strikingly low. Maternal and infant mortality are extremely high. Moreover, many women give birth without skilled attendants who can help them if complications (like prolonged, obstructed labor) arise. Because of these factors, it is estimated that the backlog of fistula cases is higher than reported figures. Current surgical capacity for treating women living with fistula is low, and more women are turned away than can be helped.

Gender inequality, and lack of equal access to education further alienate women suffering from fistula in Sierra Leone. Female genital mutilation is a common practice in the country.

What You Help Us Do

We are investing in the following areas to build Sierra Leone in-country medical services and provide life-transforming surgery to as many women as possible:

Meet Our Partners

We identify local surgical teams in Sierra Leone already successfully treating women with fistula—and then work to amplify their efforts. 

Who are our past partners?

Artemedis Sierra Leone

  • Location: Lunsar
  • Partner from: 2023-2024
How much funding have we granted?

Below are funding totals since the start of each partnership.

Current Partners

  • Artemedis Sierra Leone: $17,647.00