In a stirring keynote address delivered at the launch of SEND Sierra Leone’s Annual Progress Report, the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi, reaffirmed the government’s unwavering commitment to gender equality, child protection, and sustainable development.
The report launch—focused on Gender Equality, Education, Sustainable Growth, Climate Disaster Resilience, Health, Nutrition, and WASH—was attended by colleague ministers, development partners, community stakeholders, and women and girls from across Sierra Leone.
Speaking passionately, Dr. Mahoi emphasized the importance of collaboration and accountability in delivering on national and international commitments.
“This report reflects the strides we have made in promoting gender equality, education, climate resilience, health, and social inclusion,” she said. “Your work mirrors Sierra Leone’s dedication to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals, especially those centered around gender equality, education, and clean water.”
Dr. Mahoi highlighted Sierra Leone’s role as a global and regional champion for gender justice, citing its commitment to the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), the Beijing Declaration, AU Agenda 2063, and the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. These frameworks, she noted, have helped guide the government in enacting critical laws and policies that protect and empower women and girls.
At the national level, Dr. Mahoi celebrated the passage of groundbreaking legislation such as the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act, which mandates women’s representation in leadership roles, and the Child Rights Bill, which strengthens protections for children’s health, education, and welfare.
“Through the Free Quality Education Program, we’re ensuring that girls across the country have the opportunity to stay in school and succeed,” she noted, while also drawing attention to new laws targeting gender-based violence and early marriage.
Dr. Mahoi also underscored the importance of integrating gender into climate policy. “Women and children are on the frontlines of environmental crises,” she explained. “Our National Climate Change Adaptation Plan is designed to protect the most vulnerable while building resilient, sustainable communities.”
From economic empowerment to clean water access, Dr. Mahoi outlined her Ministry’s holistic approach to development—one that spans vocational training for women, maternal healthcare, sanitation access, and gender-responsive budgeting.
Despite these strides, the Minister acknowledged the work ahead. “Achieving gender equality and sustainable development requires continuous commitment and collective action,” she affirmed. “But together, with partners like SEND Sierra Leone, we will ensure that no one is left behind.”
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