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The One Stop Centre under the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs has received commendation for its role in strengthening the response to gender-based violence (GBV), following a high-level visit by United Nations officials and government representatives.
The engagement, held in Koinadugu District, brought together a delegation from the United Nations system led by the Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, alongside key government officials including the Chief Director of the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Resident Minister for the North, and representatives from the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development.
The visit aimed to assess the effectiveness of the One Stop Centre, which provides integrated services to survivors of GBV. These include medical care, psychosocial support, legal assistance, and economic empowerment programmes, making the facility a key support hub for affected individuals across the district.
During the session, the district’s GBV Steering Committee outlined key achievements in service delivery, despite operational challenges. They also acknowledged continued technical and financial support from development partners, including UN Women, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), and Médicos del Mundo.
An interactive dialogue with beneficiaries highlighted the centre’s impact, as survivors shared personal accounts of recovery and reintegration into society. Many pointed to economic empowerment initiatives as a turning point in rebuilding their lives.
Speaking on behalf of the ministry, Chief Director Charles Vandi commended the collective efforts of stakeholders in advancing GBV prevention and response. He also expressed gratitude to partners, particularly Médicos del Mundo, for supporting the construction of the One Stop Centre and a Safe Home for survivors.
The visiting delegation praised the strong collaboration among stakeholders in Koinadugu, emphasising that tackling GBV requires a coordinated, multisectoral approach. They reaffirmed their commitment to supporting both prevention strategies and survivor-centred services.
The visit concluded with renewed optimism among stakeholders, who expressed confidence in sustaining and expanding GBV response mechanisms across Sierra Leone.
Source: https://www.facebook.com/share/1DG1ZZE3fP/
