The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) recently concluded a day-long engagement with more than 30 focused women groups in Pujehun, Southern Sierra Leone. The meeting, held at the Pujehun District Council Conference Hall, centered on enhancing women’s inclusiveness in governance, leadership, and empowerment.

Representatives from various women’s groups emphasized the importance of women’s empowerment and urged for increased inclusiveness in development efforts.

Dr. Titus Ignru, the International Consultant working for UNDP, highlighted the meeting’s objectives, focusing on capturing advocacy issues within communities, identifying relevant stakeholders, and steering advocacy initiatives for women’s empowerment.

Dr. Ignru stressed UNDP’s commitment to preventing conflicts and violence against women and children, safeguarding women’s human rights, and supporting frameworks like gender mainstreaming policies and strategies for gender-based violence prevention in Sierra Leone.

Madam Mary Kaikai, the town chief of Yonni, expressed gratitude for UNDP’s consistent support for women and girls in the region. Other leaders, including Madam Josephine P. Sowa and Catherine Buren, echoed appreciation for the timely engagement and urged women to assume leadership roles for societal transformation.

Madam Mamawa Kaikai, Pujehun District Mammy Queen and District Coordinator for Women Forum Sierra Leone highlighted the challenges faced by women and girls, affirming their determination to turn these challenges into opportunities.

The engagement emphasized the need for women’s active participation in leadership positions and the utilization of existing policies like the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Acts of 2022. UNDP’s efforts aim to propel women into positions of power and influence, fostering a more inclusive and empowered society in Sierra Leone.