By Saidu Jalloh
In a concerted effort to bolster gender equality and fortify food security, the Minister of Gender and Children Affairs, Hon. Dr. Isata Mahoi, unveiled a series of initiatives aimed at empowering rural women in Sierra Leone. This unveiling occurred during a workshop sponsored by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Solidaridad West Africa.
Addressing a diverse gathering of delegates, including representatives from the FAO in Rome and the Sierra Leone office, the Minister lauded ongoing efforts to support women farmers in key agricultural districts, including Kenema, Kailahun, and Kono. Funded by the European Union and the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, these initiatives have facilitated rapid progress, with women commencing cocoa and oil palm harvesting within a mere three years of planting.
Of particular note was the inauguration of the Waterloo Women’s Cashew Processing Factory, a project financed by the EU aimed at generating over 300 employment opportunities for women and youth in the cashew sector. Minister Mahoi emphasized that this venture transcends job creation, heralding it as a transformative force for individuals and communities alike.
Central to the Minister’s address was the landmark 2022 Customary Land Rights Act, guaranteeing women full access and ownership of land—a monumental stride in Sierra Leone’s quest for gender parity. Highlighting President Dr. Julius Maada Bio’s government’s commitment to women’s participation and leadership in driving sustainable economic growth, Minister Mahoi stressed the pivotal role of gender equality in national development.
The workshop forms a crucial component of the broader capacity development initiative launched in 2020 by the FAO and Solidaridad, aimed at equipping rural women with the tools to engage in responsible agricultural investments and actively participate in policy formulation. With coverage extending to nine districts thus far, plans for expansion are underway.
In her closing remarks, Minister Mahoi urged workshop participants to earnestly embrace their training roles and utilize their platforms to advance gender policies and champion women’s land rights and leadership within their communities. She extended gratitude to the FAO for funding the training and acknowledged Andrew Kojo Morrison, the Country Representative of Solidaridad, for his unwavering dedication to women’s empowerment nationwide.
These initiatives are poised to play a pivotal role in Sierra Leone’s pursuit of Sustainable Development Goals, particularly in alleviating poverty and bolstering food security through equitable and sustainable development pathways.