By: Saidu Jalloh
Officials from Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA) and representatives from the Office of the First Lady are participating in a China-sponsored capacity-building seminar focused on women and children’s protection.
The two-week seminar, which began on 18 June and runs until 1 July in Beijing, is funded by the Government of the People’s Republic of China through its Ministry of Commerce. It forms part of ongoing cooperation between China and Sierra Leone aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and promoting gender equality and child protection.
Participants from Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Nigeria, Guyana, and other countries are attending the programme to exchange experiences and share best practices in women’s empowerment, gender equality, and child protection.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice President of China Women’s University, Madam Han Yan, highlighted China’s progress in advancing women’s rights and gender equality through sustained reforms and strategic investments.
She noted that China had previously faced significant gender-related challenges but had made considerable progress through the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. She further disclosed that women now account for about 40 percent of employment across various sectors in China.
Madam Yan added that China has established more than 400 women-focused organisations and continues to expand capacity-building opportunities for developing countries through academic and professional training programmes.
“The empowerment of women remains central to sustainable development and social progress,” she stated.
Representing The Gambia, the Director of Children’s Affairs, Ms. Bintou H.K. Fatty, commended the Chinese Government for what she described as a timely initiative aimed at strengthening institutional capacity and women’s empowerment.
She emphasized that inclusivity, quality service delivery, policy innovation, and gender equality remain essential for sustainable development and institutional transformation.
Nigeria’s Deputy Director at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ms. Zainab Tani Zakari Awami, underscored the importance of equipping women with skills in agriculture, technology, entrepreneurship, and trade.
She noted that expanding opportunities in digital literacy and entrepreneurship would enable women to contribute more effectively to national development and innovation.
Also speaking, Human Resource Specialist at Guyana’s National Drug Enforcement Agency, Ms. Nadia Agatha Doris, described the seminar as an important platform for promoting women’s leadership, innovation, and socio-economic development.
On behalf of the Sierra Leone delegation, Director of Policy and Strategic Planning at MoGCA, Mr. Ibrahim Kamara, expressed appreciation to the Chinese Government and the Ministry of Commerce for facilitating Sierra Leone’s participation.
He reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to promoting gender equality, strengthening child protection systems, and addressing violence against women and children.
He emphasized that achieving these goals requires continuous learning and the adoption of international best practices.
“The realities confronting women and children demand enhanced skills and knowledge that reflect emerging trends, proven strategies, and lessons learned from countries that have successfully addressed similar challenges,” he said.
Mr. Kamara disclosed that Sierra Leone expects to gain practical knowledge on innovative child protection mechanisms, effective responses to gender-based violence, and opportunities for technical and financial cooperation.
He also expressed optimism that the seminar would provide valuable insights into China’s experience in using technology-driven approaches to strengthen gender equality and child protection systems.
The Sierra Leone delegation, comprising officials with expertise in gender equality, women’s empowerment, and child protection, expressed confidence that the lessons learned from the seminar would contribute to improving national programmes and policies aimed at enhancing the welfare of women and children.
The seminar is expected to further strengthen bilateral cooperation between Sierra Leone and China while supporting efforts to promote inclusive and sustainable development for women, children, and vulnerable communities.