The Judiciary of Sierra Leone has formally handed over a Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Resource Document to stakeholders within the Justice Sector, in a move aimed at strengthening gender-responsive practices and capacity across the sector.
The handover took place on Friday, 28 August 2026, at the Sierra Palms Resort in Aberdeen, Freetown.
Representing the Chief Justice, Hon. Justice Komba Kamanda, Court of Appeal Judge Hon. Justice Jamesina Essie King said the Chief Justice remains strongly committed to the GEWE process and expressed satisfaction that the initiative had reached a significant milestone with the development and validation of the resource document.
Justice King stressed that the completion of the document places a collective responsibility on justice-sector stakeholders to ensure that its recommendations and resources are effectively implemented.
She explained that the document is primarily a capacity-building resource intended for anyone interested in gender equality and related issues. According to her, it provides guidance and practical resources to support a better understanding and mainstreaming of gender considerations within the Justice Sector.
Reflecting on recent developments in gender equality and women’s empowerment, Justice King referred to her participation in a programme organised by the Ministry of Gender, where a report on the implementation of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act, 2022, and its Monitoring and Accountability Framework was launched.
She disclosed that the report highlighted significant female representation within the Judiciary, with women accounting for approximately 71 percent of magistrates and 29 percent of judges.
Justice King said the figures provide an important basis for continued reflection, capacity building and institutional efforts to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment across the justice system.
Speaking on behalf of The Carter Center, Mr. Mohamed Bobor Jalloh, Rule of Law Project Coordinator, described the validation and handover of the document as a major milestone under the Center’s Rule of Law Programme in Sierra Leone, particularly in its collaboration with the Judiciary.
Mr. Jalloh disclosed that in 2024, The Carter Center secured funding through Democracy International, with support from USAID, to implement the Gender Equality and Rights in the Justice Sector (GEAR) Project.
He explained that the project is being implemented in partnership with the Justice Sector Coordinating Office (JSCO) and other key stakeholders, with the objective of supporting the Judiciary in implementing the GEWE Act, 2022.
According to him, the initiative seeks to strengthen gender-equity practices within the Judiciary and the wider justice sector.
As part of the project, gender diagnostics have been conducted in selected Magistrates’ Courts. The findings have informed gender-sensitisation training, the development of GEWE implementation and monitoring plans, awareness-raising campaigns and the review of human-resource policies.
Also speaking, the Head of the Justice Sector Coordination Office (JSCO), Mr. Shahid M. Korjie, commended the Judiciary for its partnership and contribution to the GEWE Project.
He particularly recognized the leadership of Chief Justice Komba Kamanda for creating an enabling environment that allowed the diagnostic exercise to be successfully conducted.
Mr. Korjie emphasized the importance of sustained cooperation among the Judiciary, legal practitioners, development partners and other relevant institutions to strengthen implementation of the project and ensure that its objectives are achieved.
He noted that the progress made under the GEWE Project was the result of collective efforts and collaboration among key stakeholders.
Mr. Korjie also commended The Carter Center for its partnership and technical support, as well as L.A.W.Y.E.R.S., the Ministry of Gender, the Centre for Accountability and Rule of Law (CARL) and other organizations involved in the process.
The Judiciary has also highlighted the continued commitment of the Chief Justice to the initiative, noting that judges and senior judicial staff were assigned to participate at various stages of the project.
At the validation exercise held on 24 July 2026 at Country Lodge Hotel, Hill Station, Hon. Justice Sesay, representing the Chief Justice, said the Judiciary under the leadership of Chief Justice Komba Kamanda had recorded notable improvements in the recruitment and promotion of women, particularly within the Magistrates’ Courts and strategic administrative positions.
Justice Sesay stressed that the adoption of Gender-Sensitive Human Resources Guidelines is essential to ensuring that justice delivery remains fair, inclusive and responsive to the needs of all people, regardless of gender.
He explained that the guidelines are intended to promote equality and non-discrimination by ensuring that courts treat men, women and gender minorities fairly and with respect.
He added that the guidelines would help guard against bias, stereotypes and discriminatory practices that could influence judicial decision-making and courtroom procedures.
The Judiciary said the effective implementation of the GEWE Resource Document will ultimately depend on the commitment and cooperation of stakeholders across the Justice Sector.