By: Audrey Raymonda John
The Vice Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone (HRCSL), Victor Idrissa Lansana Esq., has called on the Government to strengthen the implementation of laws protecting women and children and to explicitly criminalize Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), particularly against minors.
Speaking at the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) pre-session in Geneva, Lansana acknowledged the progress Sierra Leone has made since its last review before the Human Rights Council. He highlighted the enactment of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, 2022, which guarantees a 30 percent quota for women in public office, as well as legislative reforms addressing child marriage and strengthening child rights protections.
Despite these advances, Lansana expressed concern that many rural women have yet to fully benefit from the reforms, especially in accessing finance and economic opportunities to improve their livelihoods. He emphasized that effective implementation remains crucial to ensuring that legal reforms translate into tangible improvements in the lives of women and girls across the country.
He also raised concerns about gaps in the Child Rights Act, 2025, noting that it does not explicitly prohibit FGM against underage girls. Describing the practice as a violation of girls’ rights to health, dignity, protection, and education, Lansana urged the Government to introduce clearer legal provisions to address the issue.
Additionally, the HRCSL Vice Chairperson called for increased financial and logistical support for the Commission. He cited delays in the disbursement of funds and limited operational capacity as significant challenges affecting the Commission’s ability to effectively deliver services nationwide. He stressed the importance of timely fund disbursement to ensure the smooth implementation of the Commission’s activities.
Lansana further urged the Government to expedite the review and repeal of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone Act, 2004, in order to better capacitate the Commission and strengthen its independence in executing its mandate.
During the civil society panel discussion, Ambassador Lansana Gberie, Sierra Leone’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations and other international organizations in Geneva, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to the UPR process. He highlighted key achievements, including the abolition of the death penalty, strengthened gender equality legislation, and ongoing reforms in governance and access to justice.
The pre-session brought together representatives of the HRCSL and several civil society organizations as part of preparations for Sierra Leone’s upcoming UPR review before the Human Rights Council. Stakeholders emphasized the importance of continued dialogue, cooperation, and sustained reforms to advance human rights protections across the country.