The Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) has commissioned 70 female soldiers as certified drivers after they completed a 15-week all-female driver training programme aimed at expanding women’s participation in peacekeeping operations.

The commissioning ceremony was held at the Hockey Pitch Ground in Freetown and brought together representatives of the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, UN Women and senior military officials.

The programme, supported by the Elsie Initiative Fund and implemented with UN Women, represents the largest female driver training initiative conducted within the RSLAF.

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The training was designed to equip female military personnel with specialised driving and operational mobility skills, addressing one of the barriers identified in Sierra Leone’s 2022 Measuring Opportunities for Women in Peace Operations (MOWIP) assessment.

The assessment found that limited access to career-enhancing training, including driving, could restrict women’s eligibility for deployment on international peacekeeping missions.

The programme initially enrolled 75 female soldiers at Murray Town Barracks in October 2025. Following the completion of the intensive training, 70 participants were certified as professional military drivers.

UN Women Regional Director for Central and West Africa, Dr Maxime Houinato, told the graduates that opportunities within the armed forces should be determined by competence and capacity rather than societal perceptions. He emphasised the importance of ensuring that women in uniform receive equal opportunities, responsibilities and respect.

Deputy Director at the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Hannah A. Lahai-Robinson, said the initiative was aligned with United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security and Sierra Leone’s Third-Generation National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security.

Head of General Services Sahr David Njaujah described the commissioning as a significant milestone for the RSLAF and an indication of progress in removing barriers that have traditionally limited women’s participation in non-traditional military roles.

“By empowering women to serve in critical and non-traditional roles, we are building a force that is more capable, more responsive and more representative of our nation,” he said.

Deputy Chief of Defence Staff Sahr David Thomas Ngaogiah said the newly certified drivers would serve as force multipliers by strengthening military mobility, logistics coordination and operational readiness.

The ceremony also featured practical driving demonstrations by the newly trained personnel, showcasing the skills acquired during the programme.

The initiative forms part of a broader partnership between the RSLAF and UN Women, supported by the Elsie Initiative Fund, to increase the number of women eligible for deployment in United Nations peace operations and strengthen women’s meaningful participation within the armed forces.

The wider project also addresses institutional, training, infrastructure and other barriers affecting women’s participation in peacekeeping.