Children Become Victims Of Broken Relationships

By Abdul Rahman Bah

According to my investigation, an estimated 60 percent of women in Sierra Leone are living with a child or children without the presence or meaningful support of the children’s fathers. It points to a serious social concern that deserves deeper discussion among families, communities, policymakers and child-protection institutions.

Across Sierra Leone, some mothers are reportedly left to carry the responsibility of raising children after relationships break down and fathers distance themselves from their parental responsibilities. For many women, motherhood becomes a daily struggle involving food, healthcare, education, clothing, housing and other basic needs, often with little or no financial assistance from the fathers of their children.

The consequences can be particularly difficult for young mothers who are still trying to establish their own lives. Some may have to abandon or interrupt their education, while others struggle to find employment or start small businesses that can provide a stable income. In households already affected by poverty, the arrival of a child can place additional pressure on parents, grandparents and other relatives who may already be struggling to survive.

At the centre of this issue is the question of responsible fatherhood.

Fatherhood should not be understood simply as the biological act of producing a child. It carries continuing responsibilities. A father has a role to play in providing care, protection, guidance, emotional support and financial assistance to his children. The end of a relationship between a man and a woman should not automatically mean the end of a father’s relationship with his children.

The situation also raises concerns about child protection and the responsibilities of institutions such as the Family Support Unit of the Sierra Leone Police. The FSU plays an important role in addressing cases involving children, including reports of abuse, neglect and other forms of vulnerability. Where parental disputes or neglect place children at risk, appropriate authorities should ensure that the welfare and best interests of the child remain central.

However, addressing father absence cannot be left entirely to the police. It requires a broader national response involving families, schools, communities, religious institutions, civil society organisations and government agencies.

There is also a need for stronger public education on responsible parenting. Young men and women should be encouraged to understand the economic, emotional and social responsibilities that come with having children. Sexual and reproductive health education, relationship education and parenting awareness can help young people make informed decisions about their future.

At the same time, society must avoid placing the entire blame on women. When a pregnancy occurs, responsibility belongs to both parents. It is unfair for a woman to carry the financial and emotional burden alone while the father continues his life without contributing to the welfare of the child.

Children should not become victims of broken relationships.

A child has the right to care, protection, support and opportunities to develop. Whether parents remain together or separate, their responsibilities towards their children should continue.

Government and relevant institutions should also consider how existing laws and mechanisms for child maintenance and parental responsibility can be strengthened and made more accessible, particularly for women who lack the resources to pursue support through formal channels.

The conversation must therefore move beyond blaming absent fathers and begin addressing the underlying causes. Poverty, unemployment, early pregnancy, unstable relationships, lack of parenting education and weak enforcement of parental obligations can all contribute to the problem.

Sierra Leone needs a stronger culture of responsible fatherhood. Men who become fathers must understand that responsibility cannot disappear when a relationship ends.

A relationship may end, but parental responsibility should never end.