Sierra Leone ranks 163 out of 172 countries. The ranking, as explained in the report, is based on a range of data covering multiple indicators including child (under-5) mortality rate, early marriage and pregnancy, child labour, poor health and not being able to go to school.

 Whilst the report finds that childhoods are most threatened in West and Central Africa, it underlines that there has been measurable progress in the region, pointing specifically to Sierra Leone.

 Save the Children’s Sierra Leone Country Director, Sasha Ekanayake said:

 “We recognise that, with the critical efforts and commitment of the Government of Sierra Leone, we are indeed seeing important signs of progress.”

 “However, we know that we must do more, especially in areas such as violence against children, child labour and teenage pregnancy, to ensure that all children experience a complete childhood. We’ll continue to work closely with the government, civil society and development partners to ensure that these aims are achieved.”

 In Sierra Leone, Save the Children works in the health, education, child protection, livelihoods, water and sanitation sectors; as well as advocacy activities, include their Every Last Child Campaign which focuses on child mothers.