In a significant step toward advancing child protection and welfare, the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and development partner UNICEF, hosted a high-level national workshop to validate Sierra Leone’s report on the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).
Held at the CCSL Hall in Freetown, the workshop aimed to finalize the country’s report and reaffirm stakeholder commitments to strengthening systems that protect the rights and well-being of children across Sierra Leone.
The event brought together an esteemed lineup of dignitaries and stakeholders, including Honourable Minister Dr. Isata Mahoi, Permanent Secretary Aminata Y. Sannoh, Deputy Chief Director Charles Vandi, UNICEF Country Representative Rudolf Schwenk, Child Rights Coalition Representative Brima Conteh, Deputy Commissioner of the National Commission for Children Henry Sheku, and representatives from civil society organizations and the Children’s Forum Network.
Allan Rugan, who chaired the session, welcomed attendees with a call for unified action, emphasizing the importance of collaborative efforts to advance and safeguard the rights of every child in Sierra Leone.
In his opening address, UNICEF Country Representative Rudolf Schwenk explained the importance of the validation process and reaffirmed UNICEF’s commitment to supporting child rights.
“Today’s engagement is about more than just a report it’s about recommitting ourselves to the rights of every child in Sierra Leone,” he said. He highlighted the need for data-driven interventions and praised the Ministry of Gender for its leadership.
Brima Conteh, representing the Child Rights Coalition, expressed gratitude to UNICEF and acknowledged the vital role of the Ministry in facilitating the validation process.
“This collaboration is essential in achieving meaningful change for our children,” he remarked.
Speaking on behalf of children nationwide, Morrison Bockarie addressed key challenges faced by Sierra Leonean children, including limited access to education, social exclusion, and exposure to violence.
“This report is not just documentation. It reflects what must be done,” he urged, advocating for greater inclusion of children in policymaking.
Marian A. Sanu of the National Commission for Democracy (NCD) underscored the need for democratic accountability in child welfare policy.
“Validation is part of a global vision for children,” she said, highlighting the NCD’s efforts in civic education and inclusion of marginalized groups.
Patricia Nasu Danema, Chairperson of the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone, called for legislative reforms to better reflect the current realities of child protection.
“Legislation must match the evolving context of child rights,” she said, urging Parliament to review and update the Child Rights Act.
Echoing the theme of shared responsibility, Deputy Commissioner Henry Sheku emphasized that the report represents a “testament of collective action” and should serve as a catalyst for real change.
“Let this report not just be a written commitment, but a foundation for meaningful progress in the lives of our children,” he added.
Officially opening the validation meeting, Dr. Isata Mahoi extended her appreciation to all partners and reiterated the government’s dedication to child rights.
“The Government of Sierra Leone is grateful to UNICEF for providing both technical and financial support for the preparation of this report,” she said. She noted that the country had received concluding observations on its combined 2nd to 5th periodic reports under the UNCRC, making this workshop a vital step in shaping the national response.
The workshop reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to ensuring that children’s rights are protected, promoted, and integrated into every level of national development a crucial step in building a brighter future for the nation’s youngest citizens.