By: Saidu Jalloh
The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs in partnership with UNICEF has embarked on a critical mission to enhance the realization of the rights of children in the country. This initiative was marked by a significant Stakeholder Engagement event focusing on the State Party Report and the Rights of the Child.
Under the banner of “Investing in our future means investing in our children,” the workshop aimed to reinforce the capacity of the National Mechanism for reporting, follow-up, and review of the State Party report to the Committee of Experts on the Rights of the Child. This effort signifies Sierra Leone’s commitment as a signatory and Member State of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The event, attended by distinguished facilitators, senior government officials, and various stakeholders, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, sought to address the gaps in previous reporting and build a more comprehensive and accurate report for the upcoming submission. The Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, who delivered a powerful address, commended the country’s progress despite economic and social challenges and stressed the importance of learning from past mistakes.
She emphasized the need for comprehensive and accurate data to guide policy decisions, especially regarding issues affecting women and children, including gender-based violence, child trafficking, child labor, and more. The Ministry is committed to collaborating with partners to ensure that such data is readily available by the second half of the next year.
The Minister also highlighted the government’s investments in children, notably the free quality school education and the “big five game changers” underpinning the forthcoming Medium Term National Development Plan. This underscores the government’s dedication to enhancing children’s welfare and opportunities.
Children’s vulnerability to abuse and exploitation, even during non-emergency situations, was addressed during the event. Challenges such as discrimination, child trafficking, child marriage, teenage pregnancy, and child labor were discussed, and the Minister encouraged participants to take the workshop seriously, as they hold the key to empowering the country’s reporting efforts. The urgency of meeting the deadline for submitting the 6th and 7th Periodic Convention on the Rights of the Child report was underscored.
In closing, the Minister expressed gratitude to all the attendees and officially declared the workshop open. This collaborative effort is a significant step towards safeguarding the rights of children in Sierra Leone and will play a vital role in the country’s future development and growth.
