By: Saidu Jalloh
In a remarkable display of commitment to empower women and children, the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, who assumed office just three months ago in August, embarked on a significant familiarization visit to Moyamba District. Accompanied by a delegation, including the Deputy Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Permanent Secretary, Deputy Assistant Director, and other ministry officials, the visit aimed to gain invaluable insights into the specific challenges and needs of the district’s residents in relation to gender and children’s welfare.
The Minister’s eventful visit began with a meeting with Philip John Sama, the Chief Administrator of Moyamba District Council. Sama expressed his gratitude for the Ministry’s presence and drew attention to the district’s economic struggles, urging collaborative efforts with other ministers to boost development in the area.
The Minister also engaged with the Women’s Wing in Moyamba, where local women shared their challenges and concerns. In response, she assured them of the government’s commitment to working collaboratively to create an enabling environment for women and girls in the country.
A pivotal moment in the visit occurred when the Minister toured the Mustard Seed Interim Care Center. She lauded the center for providing a safe haven for children to thrive and personally inspected the facilities. Additionally, the center staff brought a disturbing case of child abuse to her attention, emphasizing the need for immediate intervention to protect vulnerable children.
The Minister’s commitment to addressing these issues was further demonstrated during her assessment of the joint office of the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs and the Ministry of Social Welfare in Moyamba. The visit ensured that government facilities were equipped to effectively serve their crucial role in promoting social welfare and children’s rights.
The journey continued with a visit to a one-stop center, where the Minister thanked the dedicated staff and pledged to collaborate with development partners to enhance the center’s services, ensuring improved support for the district’s residents.
Throughout her visit, the Minister was accompanied by a delegation that included the Deputy Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Permanent Secretary, and other ministry officials, highlighting a coordinated effort to better understand and address the unique needs of Moyamba District, particularly those related to gender and children’s welfare. This visit underscored the government’s unwavering dedication to improving the lives of women, children, and vulnerable communities in Sierra Leone.