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Dr. Isata Mahoi, the Hon. Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, has once again reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s unwavering commitment to eradicating violence against women and girls.
Speaking at the Spotlight Initiative Sierra Leone 2.0 Baseline Study Validation Workshop, the Minister emphasized the importance of the Baseline Study as a pivotal tool in shaping effective, evidence-based interventions aimed at addressing gender-based violence.
In her statement, Dr. Mahoi stressed that the Baseline Study plays a crucial role in guiding the country’s response to violence against women and girls. “The Study will help us strengthen survivor-centered services, address critical gaps in coordination, access, and data systems, and ultimately ensure that the interventions we implement are more impactful,” she noted.
The Minister highlighted significant national progress in the fight for gender equality, such as the enactment of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act in 2022, which she described as a major step in the country’s commitment to protecting women’s rights.
Dr. Mahoi further reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s alignment with global frameworks like the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), both of which advocate for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls.
As part of the government’s continued efforts, Dr. Mahoi assured all stakeholders of the Ministry’s determination to scale up prevention efforts, expand services to rural and underserved communities, and bolster institutional capacity in addressing violence against women and girls. She also stressed the need for inclusive, multi-sectoral collaboration in these endeavors.
The Spotlight Initiative Sierra Leone 2.0, which is being supported by the European Union and implemented in collaboration with UN agencies and the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, was praised by the Minister as a beacon of collective action and hope. She reiterated that this initiative is driving the country toward a future where every woman and girl can live free from violence, fear, and discrimination.
In closing, Dr. Mahoi expressed confidence that through continued partnership and sustained commitment, Sierra Leone would make significant strides toward ending violence against women and girls and achieving gender equality for all.
