As part of this year’s International Women’s Day on the theme “For All Women and Girls: Rights, Equality. Empowerment,” the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, in collaboration with the International Women’s Day National Steering Committee, Friday 7th March 2025, ended a two-day High Level Policy Dialogue Forum at the Miatta Conference Center- Youyi Building in Freetown.
At the end of the dialogue forum, the over 120 participants recommended that consistent and intensive sensitization on the gender laws be undertaken, replication of best practices, alignment of skills, establishment of village savings loans, leveraging of technology, financial empowerment and engaging young girls.
The Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi, disclosed that the forum is to reflect on the journey since the Beijing Declaration, the progress made and challenges for a more equitable society to accelerate progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
She furthered that gender is a crosscutting issue in the Medium-Term National Development Plan, that the Beijing Declaration has made Sierra Leone conscious, that the Government of Sierra Leone has ratified and domesticated key international instruments citing the enactments of the Sexual Offences Act among others asserting that laws are the foundation of our efforts.
According to the Minister, Sierra Leone has made progress to pass laws relating to violence against women and girls, established the One Stop Center, Referral Pathways that provide survivors with legal and medical support, that the number of women in Parliament has increased from 12 percent to 28 percent, observing that gender inequality is deeply entrenched; and she called for women in financial services as well as their economic empowerment that makes it difficult for them to progress.
Dr. Mahoi also revealed that they have received complaints of violence against women and girls, that women account for between 60-70 percent in the agricultural sector and therefore need support reiterating that they want developments that support women, that the Ministry is committed to protect the lives of the girl child, promote gender equality, improved access to quality education and healthcare.
The President of the 50/50 Group, Dr. Fredline McCormack-Hale revealed that the event is for stakeholders to take stock of achievements, underscored that now is the time for action, that Sierra Leone has made tremendous progress over the past 30 years as there are now more women in politics and the decision-making process, enactment of gender laws but noted that challenges still persist.
She continued that stakeholders must invest in women’s capacity building and that now is the time for renowned action citing economic inequalities and cultural and traditional barriers as some of the challenges.
The representative of UNWomen, Mrs. Baindu Taylor, disclosed that 189 countries endorsed the Beijing Declaration 30 years ago to, among others, eliminate violence against women and girls, that positive legal reforms have taken place in Sierra Leone, but noted that violence against women and girls is still pervasive, and also underscored the need to accelerate progress in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
The Team Lead of Invest Salone called for the erection of monuments worldwide in honor of single women.
Hon. Wuyatta Songa assured that Parliament is committed to enact laws to protect women and girls, informing that there are 24 female Members of Parliament in the current House of Parliament, appealed for capacity building for women and allocation of additional resources to Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to build the self-esteem of women pointing out that although the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act (GEWE) is facilitating their work, it has loopholes.
Veteran educationist and diplomat, Haja Alarie Cole chaired the event while the Deputy Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Mr. Hindowa Bindi, earlier introduced the Minister.
Highlights of the event were the official opening of the dialogue forum by Dr. Isata Mahoi, objectives of the High Level Policy Dialogue Forum and Thematic Presentation: Beijing+ 30: Progress, Challenges and the Way Forward by Mr. Ibrahim Kamara, Director of Research and Policy in the MGCA.
Thematic Panel Discussions were also held on the following topics: Women and Politics, Women and the Economy, Education and Training, Women in Power and Decision-Making, Human Rights of Women, Institutional Mechanisms for the Advancement of Women, Women and Health, Violence Against Women, the Girl Child, Women and Armed Conflict, Women in the Media and Women and the Environment.
Dr. Mahoi also unveiled the logo of the Green Bank for Women during which she enlightened that the local savings known as “Osusu” is geared towards empowering grassroots women, that the two-days forum would not go in vain reiterating that government is committed to protect and improve the lives of women and girls and that all the initiatives highlighted during the dialogue are important.
She furthered that the work of all the stakeholders is to help shape the future, urged all to take the opportunity and navigate with it and commended staff of the Ministry for their exemplary performance and dedication to duty.
The Public Relations Officer of the Children’s Forum Network rendered the vote of thanks.
