By: Saidu Jalloh
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Hon. Dr. Isata Mahoi, recently participated in the Reykjavik Global Forum of Women Leaders in Iceland. The forum, attended by over 500 global leaders, was centered on the theme “Power, Together for Change!” and focused on issues such as equal pay, equal representation, parental leave, and ending gender-based violence.
Dr. Mahoi joined a distinguished panel alongside the former President of Lithuania and the former Prime Minister of Finland, where she shared Sierra Leone’s strides in strengthening democracy and advancing women’s leadership. She reflected on the devastating impact of the country’s civil war (1991–2002) on women and children, but also acknowledged the crucial role women played in advocating for peace and mobilizing communities during that time.
She highlighted the ongoing challenges women face during elections, including intimidation, displacement, and limited post-election support. Despite these obstacles, Sierra Leone has made significant strides, including the passage of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act (2024). This has resulted in women holding 34.5% of cabinet positions and 30% of seats in parliament. Additionally, the number of female councillors and speakers has also increased.
To foster collaboration across political divides, Dr. Mahoi underscored the establishment of the Network of Women Ministers and Parliamentarians in 2023, which promotes solidarity and collective engagement despite resource constraints. She reaffirmed her Ministry’s commitment to championing women’s and children’s rights while creating more opportunities for women in leadership roles.
Dr. Mahoi also highlighted the Real Man Campaign, which engages traditional and community leaders to address sexual and gender-based violence and promote women’s dignity. Furthermore, the Ministry is developing an Accountability Framework to ensure stronger institutional integration of gender issues, supported by effective monitoring systems.
On the regional front, Sierra Leone is collaborating through the Mano River Union to advocate for women’s rights across borders. Dr. Mahoi emphasized the importance of involving young people through mentorship and intergenerational dialogue to nurture future women leaders.
With the recent passage of the Child Rights Act (2025) and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2024), Dr. Mahoi announced the establishment of new digital reporting mechanisms to support survivors of abuse. She also reaffirmed her commitment to protecting women and girls and underscored her role as a national champion of the One Billion Rising Campaign, which promotes inclusion for women and girls.
In her closing remarks, Dr. Mahoi called for stronger global policy implementation, stressing that economic empowerment is key for women to challenge inequality and fully participate in leadership and governance.