By: Mohamed J. Bangura
Sierra Leone has called for stronger regional cooperation among Mano River Union (MRU) member states to promote women’s participation in peacebuilding, conflict prevention and security, as the country commemorated the 26th anniversary of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 in Freetown.
The call was made during the commemoration, where Sierra Leone renewed its commitment to ensuring women’s full and meaningful participation in building lasting peace and strengthening regional security.
Addressing the gathering, Sierra Leone’s representative highlighted the significant role women have played in ending conflicts, reconciling communities and rebuilding lives, particularly in Sierra Leone and other Mano River Union countries.
The representative noted that the region’s history of conflict demonstrates women’s courage, resilience and contributions to peacebuilding, emphasizing the need to recognize them as essential partners in preventing conflicts and maintaining stability.
Under the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, Sierra Leone remains committed to advancing women’s rights, leadership and participation in national and regional decision-making processes.
The representative called for increased investment in women-led early-warning networks to enable communities to identify potential security threats and prevent conflicts before they escalate into violence.
The importance of strengthening protection for women and girls was also emphasised, alongside the need to ensure that women have access to the resources, authority and opportunities necessary to influence decisions on peace and security.
The representative stressed that women should not merely be beneficiaries of peacebuilding initiatives but should actively participate in shaping the policies and decisions that determine the security and future of their communities.
United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325, adopted in October 2000, provides an international framework for promoting women’s participation in conflict prevention, peace negotiations, peacebuilding and post-conflict reconstruction.
The resolution also calls for increased representation of women at all decision-making levels within national, regional and international institutions responsible for conflict prevention and resolution.
The 26th anniversary commemoration provided an opportunity for Sierra Leone to reaffirm its commitment to the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda while encouraging stronger collaboration among Mano River Union countries to address shared regional security challenges.
The representative maintained that achieving lasting peace and stability across the region requires women to have the resources, authority and opportunities to participate meaningfully in decisions shaping their collective future.