By: Problyn J. Alpha
The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, in partnership with UNICEF, has organized a regional rollout and sensitization programme on the Child Rights Act (CRA) 2025 and its accompanying regulations for the Northern Region.
The event, which took place at Garden State in Makeni, Bombali District, on Friday, May 29, 2026, attracted a wide range of stakeholders from across the region. Participants included paramount chiefs, gender officers, child protection officers, Mammy Queens, women’s and children’s rights advocates, as well as representatives from various institutions and districts across the country.
The programme aimed to review, analyse, and discuss the provisions of the Child Rights Act 2025 and its accompanying regulations, while also gathering recommendations to strengthen child protection mechanisms nationwide.
Key thematic areas discussed during the sessions included physical violence against children, residential care homes, juvenile justice, alternative care, child maintenance, child access, child custody, child protection services, and other critical provisions contained in the Child Rights Act 2025. Discussions were also held on the widely debated Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) Bill and other child welfare concerns.
During the deliberations, paramount chiefs and other local authorities reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the implementation of the Act within their respective chiefdoms and communities. They pledged to work closely with government institutions and development partners to ensure the protection and promotion of children’s rights.
The traditional leaders also called on the Government of Sierra Leone to strengthen the capacities of law enforcement agencies and child protection institutions through increased financial support, adequate staffing, and improved logistical assistance. According to them, such support is necessary to ensure the effective implementation of the law and to address the growing child protection challenges facing the country.
In their closing remarks, officials from the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs expressed profound appreciation to all participants, particularly stakeholders, for their active participation and valuable contributions. The officials assured attendees that the recommendations generated during the engagement would be documented and submitted to the relevant authorities, including Parliament, for further consideration and review.
The regional rollout forms part of the ongoing efforts of the Government of Sierra Leone and its development partners to enhance awareness and implementation of the Child Rights Act 2025, which is aimed at safeguarding the welfare, protection, and development of children throughout the country.