Remarks by UN Resident Coordinator Seraphine Wakana at the National Conference on Financing for Women, Peace and Security

It is an honour to be here today at the opening of this pivotal National Conference on Financing for Women, Peace and Security. I want to thank the Government of Sierra Leone and all convening partners for their vision and leadership in making this moment possible.

We gather today not simply to reflect but to act. We need to move from words to financing, from vision to pathways, and from commitment to collective investment in women—as peacebuilders, entrepreneurs, and agents of change.

As you know, women are not just beneficiaries of peace; they are essential architects of peace. Their involvement in peace and development processes leads to more comprehensive and lasting solutions. Yet, despite their critical role, women often face barriers that hinder their full participation. It is our collective responsibility to dismantle these barriers and create pathways for women to lead and thrive.

Sierra Leone has made significant strides in advancing the Women, Peace, and Security agenda. From the adoption of national action plans to strong advocacy from women-led organizations across the country to policies on gender equality and women's empowerment, this nation has demonstrated that peace must be inclusive to be lasting. These achievements are a testament to what we can accomplish when we work together.

But despite this progress, one fundamental question remains: 

Where is the financing?

How do we ensure that women-led peacebuilding, conflict prevention, recovery, and economic transformation efforts are not only recognized but also funded?

How do we move from project-based support to long-term, sustainable investment?

Adequate financing is the backbone of our efforts. Without it, our goals remain aspirations, and where some resources are available, they are small and short-term, leading to slow and frustrated progress. We must ensure that resources are allocated effectively to support women's initiatives in peacebuilding and development.

This is why today's conference matters.

It is timely that this conversation is happening as Sierra Leone is rolling out its National Strategy for Financial Inclusion, which recognizes women as key drivers of inclusive growth and social resilience. It is also aligned with the government's ongoing work on the Financing Framework for Development—a bold step to harness public and private resources more effectively, thereby contributing to the implementation of the country's Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

But if these frameworks, strategies, and efforts by all stakeholders are to be transformational, they must be intentionally gender responsive.

They must explicitly prioritize women in conflict-affected communities, women entrepreneurs, and grassroots women peacebuilders who often work with little to no funding yet carry the heaviest burdens.

In supporting these women and other women across all spheres of life, let us be bold and let us be deliberate.

We need: Dedicated financing windows for women-led peace and development efforts.

We need: Innovative public-private partnerships that include women entrepreneurs not just as beneficiaries, but as co-investors and leaders.

We need: Simplified and inclusive financial instruments that allow women's organizations and women to access and manage resources with dignity and ease.

We must also ensure that women's voices are central to financial planning and decision-making—locally, nationally, and globally.

In recent weeks, I have engaged with different community stakeholders, including women in some of the districts. One thing is clear: Sustained funding for women's economic empowerment and developing financial strategies that respond to their unique capacities and experiences is a crucial enabler for peace. However, the women themselves should inform and engage in shaping economic empowerment and financial strategies.

The United Nations family in Sierra Leone stands ready and continues to walk with the government, partners and the women of Sierra Leone on gender equality and women empowerment. Through our joint programming, technical support, and collective capacities, we are committed to:

• Supporting the integration of women, peace and security priorities into national financing frameworks,
• Strengthening the capacity of women's organizations to access funding for peace and development, and to
• Working with all of you in contributing to increased women’s engagement and leadership in the pursuit of peace, prosperity and development in the country.

This conference is not the end—it is a beginning and a launchpad for accelerating our ongoing efforts towards gender-responsive and inclusive financing. A beginning of a collective journey to ensure that financing for women, peace, and security is no longer the missing link but the driving force.

Let us remember: Financing women contributes to financing peace. Financing women means securing Sierra Leone's future.

Today, I call upon all stakeholders—government officials, civil society, international partners, and community leaders—to join hands on this endeavour. Let us commit to creating an inclusive environment where women can lead and contribute to peace and security. Let us ensure that our policies and programmes are not just words on paper but actions that drive real change, in an inclusive manner.

I take this opportunity to thank the Peacebuilding Fund for walking this journey with us on empowering women and building peace in Sierra Leone.

Finally, I would like to thank you for your dedication and commitment. Let us move forward with determination and hope, knowing that our efforts today will shape a better tomorrow for all.

I look forward to the outcome of this interesting, important and timely conference.

Thank you.