By: Saidu Jalloh
In a landmark event, the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi, delivered a keynote address at the National launch of the report titled “The Impact of the Downward Revision of the GST and Limited Access to Finance for MSMEs in Sierra Leone: Voices of Women Entrepreneurs.” The event, held at CCSL Hall, was organized by 50/50 Groups, Budget Advocacy Network, and Christian Aid.
Expressing her enthusiasm, Dr. Mahoi emphasized the critical need for the economic empowerment of women in Sierra Leone. She underscored that any development initiative that does not prioritize women is inherently flawed. “For any development that doesn’t have the face of a woman, it’s a distorted development,” Dr. Mahoi stated, highlighting the significant role women play in society and the fact that they constitute over 52 percent of the country’s population.
The Minister pointed to ongoing efforts by her ministry to support women, particularly through a pilot program in Falaba District. This initiative, in collaboration with UN Women and other partners, has established cooperative programs for women, providing them with start-up funds and machinery to enhance agricultural productivity. Dr. Mahoi expressed hope that the success of this pilot program would pave the way for its expansion to other districts.
“Agriculture is an area where women are always in front,” Dr. Mahoi noted, emphasizing that over 60% of the food consumed in the country is produced by women. However, she lamented the lack of adequate support and attention to their contributions.
Dr. Mahoi also highlighted the government’s commitment to the implementation of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act. She announced that the Ministry has recently developed regulations to aid its enforcement and trained 28 focal persons across various ministries, departments, and agencies to promote gender mainstreaming and budgeting.
In collaboration with the Bank of Sierra Leone and commercial banks, the Ministry is also working to improve financial inclusion for women. Dr. Mahoi pointed out that although women are the majority of clients in microfinance institutions, they continue to face significant barriers to accessing financial services.
Dr. Mahoi thanked the organizers— Budget Advocacy Network, 50/50 Groups, and Christian Aid—for their efforts in creating a platform to address these critical issues. She urged the audience to take a close look at the report, digest its findings, and work together to create opportunities that bring women to the forefront of economic development.
Following her remarks, Dr. Mahoi officially launched the report, marking a significant step forward in the ongoing effort to empower women entrepreneurs across Sierra Leone.
