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Minister of Information and Civic Education, Chernor Bah, participated in a high-level event during the 70th Session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW70) focused on progressive policy approaches to engaging men and boys in countering backlash against gender equality and democratic rights.
In his remarks, Minister Chernor Bah highlighted Sierra Leone’s reform record under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, noting that the government has pursued some of the most progressive governance and social reforms in the country’s history over the past eight years.
He stated that those achievements include abolishing the death penalty, decriminalizing criminal libel, strengthening the Sexual Offences law, criminalizing child marriage and those who facilitate it, lifting the ban on pregnant girls attending school, advancing the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, and proposing reforms to address Female Genital Mutilation and strengthen sexual and reproductive health rights.
Minister Bah noted that while these reforms have expanded rights and democratic freedoms, they have also generated organized backlash, often fueled by misinformation and narratives that portray gender equality as a threat to culture and tradition.
He emphasized that Sierra Leone’s experience reflects a global pattern and called for stronger public leadership, civic education, and engagement with men and boys to challenge patriarchal narratives and sustain progress on gender equality and democracy.
Finally, Minister Chernor Bah reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s continued commitment to advancing inclusive policies that protect rights, strengthen democratic governance, and expand opportunities for all citizens.
