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The Office of the Vice President, in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA), convened a National Dialogue on Advancing Women’s Agency, Inclusion, and Leadership in Sierra Leone.
In her remarks, the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs emphasized the significance of the dialogue as an important platform where women and key stakeholders collectively determine how the women’s agenda will advance in Sierra Leone.
She noted that the discussions would play a critical role in defining key priorities and guiding the planning process for the National Women’s Conference scheduled for later this year.
Delivering the keynote address, the Vice President reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to moving beyond rhetoric toward meaningful and measurable actions that advance gender equality and women’s empowerment. He commended the Minister and her team for their dedication and leadership in driving preparations for the forthcoming conference.
The Vice President highlighted that while Sierra Leone has successfully achieved the 30% quota for women’s representation in Parliament, as provided for in the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act, representation alone is not sufficient. He stressed the importance of strengthening women’s agency, leadership, and meaningful participation in decision-making spaces across all sectors of society.
He further noted that women remain a critical driving force behind Sierra Leone’s economic development, yet many of the challenges affecting their wellbeing and opportunities continue to require urgent and sustained attention. As part of ongoing efforts to improve the health and welfare of women and families, he referenced the “300 Days Campaign,” a national initiative aimed at accelerating progress in maternal health and improving outcomes for women and children across the country.
In addition, the Vice President highlighted ongoing efforts toward establishing Sierra Leone’s first women-focused financial institution, “Kombra Bank,” envisioned as a bank run by women for women, with investment support already secured from partners including Vista Bank.
The dialogue forms part of the broader preparatory process for the National Women’s Conference, providing a platform for participants to reflect on the realities facing women in Sierra Leone, identify key national priorities, and develop a clear delivery framework to ensure that the conference produces tangible and lasting outcomes for women and girls across the country.
Finally, the Dialogue brings together government representatives, development partners, civil society organizations, and women leaders to help shape the direction of the upcoming National Women’s Conference.
