By: Saidu Jalloh
The Ministry of Gender and Childrenโs Affairs, in collaboration with UN Women and with funding from Irish Aid and UN Peace building, has officially launched the Third Generation National Action Plan (SiLNAP III) for implementing the United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 1325 on Women, Peace, and Security. The Atlantic Hotel, Freetown event marks a significant milestone in Sierra Leone’s commitment to advancing womenโs participation in peace processes and addressing gender-based violence (GBV).
In her keynote address, the Minister of Gender and Childrenโs Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi, highlighted the importance of UNSCR 1325, adopted in October 2000, as a landmark resolution recognizing the disproportionate impact of conflict on women and girls. She noted that Sierra Leone has made substantial progress by adopting successive National Action Plans, starting with SiLNAP I in 2009 and SiLNAP II in 2019, laying the groundwork for the newly launched SiLNAP III.
“The SiLNAP III builds on the progress made and aligns with national and international frameworks on women, peace, and security,” Dr. Mahoi stated. She also emphasized that the plan strengthens legislative and policy frameworks to ensure women’s active participation in peace and security processes.
Dr. Mahoi cited significant legislative advancements, such as the Gender Equality and Womenโs Empowerment (GEWE) Act 2022, the Public Elections Act 2022, and the Customary Land Rights Act 2023, which have helped create space for women in governance and the security sector. Additionally, she lauded the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) and the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) for their policies and mechanisms promoting gender equality and tackling issues like sexual harassment and exploitation.
She concluded her speech by expressing optimism about the successful implementation of SiLNAP III and affirming the governmentโs commitment to ensuring women’s full participation in all aspects of peace building.
Other key speakers at the launch commended the initiative and shared their commitment to supporting the plan. A representative from Women Forum Sierra Leone praised the Ministryโs efforts, stating that they will work tirelessly over the next five years to ensure that every woman in Sierra Leone thrives. The representative stressed their commitment to policies that promote gender equality and combat GBV, calling SiLNAP III a “plan for success.”
Madam Hawa Samai, Chairperson of the National Commission for Peace and National Cohesion, emphasized the importance of strong political will in driving such initiatives. She commended the Ministry’s continuous advocacy and noted that the Peace Commissionโs three-year strategy, which adopts a community-based approach, would work in tandem with the goals of SiLNAP III.
The Ambassador of Ireland, Aidan Fitzpatrick, also expressed his admiration for the progress made by women in Sierra Leone, particularly in the context of global conflicts where women and children are most affected. He reaffirmed Ireland’s commitment to supporting the Ministry in implementing SiLNAP III, highlighting the role of women in Ireland’s own Foreign Affairs Ministry, where 60% of diplomats are women.
The Chairperson of the Parliamentary Committee on Gender echoed the call for collective action. She stressed that sustainable peace is only achievable with womenโs full participation and called on the government, civil society organizations, and NGOs to work together to turn SiLNAP IIIโs vision into reality.
Deputy Minister of Defense expressed pride in the progress made within the military to empower women. He noted that gender equality is a principle rooted in human rights and religious values. The Deputy Minister acknowledged that since establishing a gender unit within the RSLAF in 2009, significant strides have been made, with female officers now constituting 14% of the force. He added that RSLAF policies, including those prohibiting intimate relationships between soldiers, are fully enforced. Women in the military now hold diverse roles, including commanders and drivers, with some deployed on peace missions abroad.
