By: Saidu Jalloh
Sierra Leone has reaffirmed its commitment to inclusive and gender-responsive recovery during a high-level event in New York marking the 26th anniversary of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda.
The event, themed “Financing Economic Recovery for Gender Equality,” was organized by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and co-sponsored by the Governments of the United Kingdom and Sierra Leone.
Representing the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Chief Director and Professional Head, Mr. Charles Vandi, outlined Sierra Leone’s transformative journey from fragility to resilience through bold gender reforms and inclusive fiscal strategies.
Mr. Vandi highlighted several landmark legislative achievements that strengthen women’s rights and economic participation, including the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act 2022, the Customary Land Rights Act 2022, the Land Commission Act 2022, the Employment Act 2023, and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024. Collectively, these laws enhance women’s access to land, employment, and protection under the law.
He further disclosed that Sierra Leone has institutionalized Gender-Responsive Budgeting (GRB) across ten key ministries, integrated GRB into the FY2026 Budget Call Circular, and developed a Gender Accountability Framework with technical support from the United Nations.
According to Mr. Vandi, the Ministry continues to work closely with local councils, Parliament, civil society organizations, and the media to mainstream gender equality in governance and recovery efforts. These initiatives align with the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030) and the government’s “Big Five Game Changers.”
“Our reforms are not ad hoc; they are strategic, data-driven, and community-rooted,” Mr. Vandi emphasized, noting that Sierra Leone’s approach serves as a compelling model for fragile states pursuing inclusive and sustainable development.
He concluded, “We are not just budgeting for women; we are budgeting with women for national transformation.”