By: Aminata Sesay
Gender accountability took center stage in Freetown as the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA), in collaboration with the World Bank and UN Women, convened a high-level national dialogue to assess the implementation of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act.
The one-day forum, held at Brookfields Hotel, brought together civil society organizations (CSOs), government officials, and development partners under the theme “Measuring the Impact of Our Commitments to Women and Girls in Sierra Leone.” The dialogue served as a platform to evaluate progress, strengthen accountability, and accelerate momentum for gender equality reforms across various sectors.
Opening the discussion, Assistant Director Harry Mahoi emphasized the importance of collective ownership in advancing national gender goals. Marian Goodie Sowonie, MoGCA’s Director of Gender, thanked development partners for their continued support and highlighted the vital role of CSOs in driving implementation at the grassroots level. “The GEWE Act is more than legislation—it is a shared commitment. This dialogue ensures that voices from across the country are shaping the way forward,” she stated.
UN Women’s Head of Office, Sètchémè Jéronime M. Mongbo, reaffirmed international support for Sierra Leone’s gender agenda and encouraged all sectors to adopt tested global frameworks such as the UN SWAP (System-wide Action Plan) and the Gender Scorecard. She noted that localizing these tools can improve transparency and facilitate lasting, systemic change.
From a policy standpoint, Ibrahim Kamara, Director of Planning at MoGCA, outlined key provisions of the GEWE Act, including mandates for women’s political participation, economic inclusion, and workplace equality. He underscored the Act’s requirement for a minimum of 30% female representation in public elections and the enforcement of equal pay for equal work.
UN Women Program Specialist Baindu Massaquoi advanced the conversation by presenting a proposed gender accountability framework tailored to Sierra Leone. “If we’re serious about achieving SDG 5, we need tools that reflect our national realities while aligning with global standards,” she explained.
Participants engaged in a vibrant plenary session, sharing experiences and challenges in mainstreaming gender within their respective institutions. The dialogue concluded with a strong consensus on the need for inclusive monitoring mechanisms and strategic partnerships to ensure the GEWE Act translates into meaningful change for women and girls across Sierra Leone.