RCONational dialogue on preferred electoral system for Sierra Leone, held in Bintumani International Conference Centre The Government of Sierra Leone, with support from the European Union, the United Nations, and International IDEA, officially launched a National Dialogue on the Preferred Electoral System at the Bintumani International Conference Centre. The dialogue aims to foster inclusive, nationwide engagement on electoral reform, focusing on the Proportional Representation (PR) and First Past the Post (FPTP) systems, in line with Recommendation 78 of the Tripartite Committee.In their statements, development partners and government leaders reaffirmed their commitment to democratic consolidation, legal integrity, civic participation, and timely electoral preparedness ahead of the 2028 elections.The UN Resident Coordinator, Ms. Seraphine Wakana, welcomed the dialogue as a vital step toward informed, inclusive decision-making and reiterated the UN’s ongoing support for electoral institutions and civic engagement.The initiative underscores Sierra Leone’s efforts to strengthen transparency, constitutional alignment, and public trust in electoral processes, contributing to Sustainable Development Goal 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions.

IOMSierra Leone validates national implementation plan and launches coordination mechanism for global compact for migration.The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, in collaboration with IOM, government partners, and civil society organizations, convened a national meeting to validate the National Implementation Plan (NIP) and establish a National Coordination Mechanism (NCM) for the Global Compact for Migration (GCM). This marks a critical milestone in localizing the GCM by translating global commitments into nationally owned actions that enhance migration governance in Sierra Leone. As a GCM Champion Country, Sierra Leone continues to demonstrate leadership in promoting safe, orderly, and regular migration—fully aligned with national development priorities outlined in the Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030). This process was supported through funding from the European Union’s Demand-Driven Technical Assistance mechanism.  UNFPA

UNFPA Sierra Leone engages media on new 2025–2030 country programme and 2024 achievements. On 18 July 2025, UNFPA Sierra Leone convened a media dissemination event to present its 8th Country Programme Document (CPD) 2025–2030 and share key highlights from its 2024 Annual Report. 
 
The event brought together editors, journalists, and media leaders to deepen understanding of UNFPA’s strategic direction, achievements, and priorities — particularly in sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, and youth development. 
 
Key messages from national leadership: 
• Hon. Kenyeh Barlay, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, called the CPD “a critical enabler for national development and stronger, more resilient communities.” 
• Dr. Isata Mahoi, Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, emphasized the alignment of the new programme with national efforts to end gender-based violence and harmful practices. 
 
UNFPA Officer-in-Charge, Ms. Sibeso Mululuma, described the new programme as a rights-based roadmap and called on media to play a central role in accountability, awareness, and advocacy. 
 
The event closed with an interactive dialogue, reinforcing media as a critical partner in advancing health, rights, and development for all in Sierra Leone. 

RCO

EU- UN €15 million Spotlight Initiative to end violence against women and girls launched. 
The Government of Sierra Leone has officially launched the Spotlight Initiative—a bold, multi-year global partnership between the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN)—to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG). The launch held at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown on Tuesday July 8th united government ministries,
including the Chief Minister, the Minister of Gender and Children's Affairs and the Minister of Health; the European Union; UN agencies, representatives from the global Spotlight Initiative; the Rainbo Initiative; civil society organisations; traditional leaders; parliamentarians; the justice sector; and key development partners to address this scourge in our society.

This launch builds on a landmark €15 million financing agreement signed on 11 April 2024 by Minister of Finance Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura and the European Union. This pivotal partnership represents a shared commitment to intensify national efforts in combating sexual and gender-based violence through coordinated funding, technical support, and sustained political will.
Violence against women and girls remains deeply entrenched in Sierra Leone. An estimated 62 percent of women aged 15–49 have experienced physical and/or sexual violence, according to the Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey (SLDHS) 2019. Harmful traditional practices—such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage—along with intimate partner violence, continue to threaten the safety, dignity, and economic empowerment of women and girls across the country. By adopting this proven framework, Sierra Leone aims to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 5—achieving gender equality—and to create lasting, transformative change for generations to come.

UNDP

UNDP, partners launch skills training programme with guaranteed jobs for 100 youth.
In a bold effort to tackle youth unemployment and strengthen technical capacity in Sierra Leone, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with the National Youth Commission and Sierra Tropical Ltd (a subsidiary of Dole Asia Holdings), has launched a transformative skills training programme for 100 young people in Bo District. The initiative provides hands-on, market-relevant training in machine operations, automobile repairs, welding, and fabrication, sectors critical to Sierra Leone’s industrial growth. A unique feature of the programme is its direct link to employment: all trainees who successfully complete the training will be offered jobs by Sierra Tropical Ltd. Speaking at the launch, UNDP Resident Representative, Frederick Ampiah, stated, “This initiative supports our commitment to youth employment and private sector development. By investing in employable skills, we help create an enabling environment where businesses thrive and young people secure sustainable livelihoods.”

Deputy Minister of Youth Affairs, Hon. Patrick Michaelson Gibrilla, noted, “This programme is a shining example of public-private collaboration for youth empowerment. It equips our young people with tools to succeed and contribute meaningfully to national development.” Kwame Wiafe, Managing Director of Sierra Tropical Ltd, reaffirmed the company’s commitment to youth development through skills training. “We are not just creating jobs ,we are building a skilled, empowered local workforce,” he said. The initiative signals a strong step forward in youth empowerment, inclusive growth, and private sector partnership for national development.
UNICEF 

UNICEF convenes national seminar to promote inclusive education 
UNICEF convened a National Seminar on Inclusive Education on Friday, 4 July 2025 to assess existing gaps, identify practices and define strategic actions that ensure all children, including the most marginalized, have access to quality learning. In collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE), the seminar brought together government actors, civil society, development partners, and education stakeholders to accelerate progress toward a more inclusive, equitable education system in Sierra Leone. “Inclusive education is not a separate or parallel system; it is the foundation of an equitable, resilient education system that leaves no child behind,” said Liv Elin Indreiten, UNICEF Deputy Representative in Sierra Leone.

The seminar provided space for stakeholders to examine current challenges and systemic barriers to inclusive education; share successful models and innovations and map out priority actions to build a more inclusive education system that engages families, communities, and policy influencers. While Sierra Leone has made progress in ensuring equitable access to education through the Free Quality School Education programme and relevant policies such as the Radical Inclusion Policy and the Comprehensive School Safety Policy, many children—especially girls and children with disabilities—still face major barriers to learning. Ms Indreiten further used that opportunity to launch the Inclusive Education Strategy for Sierra Leone, along with a policy brief developed in partnership with the MBSSE and other stakeholders. These resources offer evidence-based guidance to strengthen inclusive planning, classroom practice, and community engagement.  

FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, 09 July 2025 — The Government of Sierra Leone has officially launched the Spotlight Initiative—a bold, multi-year global partnership between the European Union (EU) and the United Nations (UN)—to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls (VAWG).  The launch held at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown on Tuesday July 8th united government ministries, including the Chief Minister, the Minister of Gender and Children's Affairs and the Minister of Health; the European Union; UN agencies, representatives from the global Spotlight Initiative; the Rainbo Initiative; civil society organisations; traditional leaders; parliamentarians; the justice sector; and key development partners to address this scourge in our society. This launch builds on a landmark €15 million financing agreement signed on 11 April 2024 by Minister of Finance Sheku Ahmed Fantamadi Bangura and the European Union. This pivotal partnership represents a shared commitment to intensify national efforts in combating sexual and gender-based violence through coordinated funding, technical support, and sustained political will. A National Crisis Demands Urgent Action Violence against women and girls remains deeply entrenched in Sierra Leone. An estimated 62 percent of women aged 15–49 have experienced physical and/or sexual violence, according to the Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey (SLDHS) 2019. Harmful traditional practices—such as female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage—along with intimate partner violence, continue to threaten the safety, dignity, and economic empowerment of women and girls across the country. A Global Movement, A Local Commitment Launched globally in 2017 with an initial investment of €500 million from the European Union, the Spotlight Initiative stands as the world's largest targeted effort to eradicate violence against women and girls. Its achievements to date include supporting the enactment of over 540 laws and policies designed to combat violence; enabling more than 3 million women and girls to access essential, life-saving services; engaging 8 million young people and 6 million men and boys in shifting harmful gender norms, and doubling conviction rates for gender-based violence in 13 participating countries By adopting this proven framework, Sierra Leone aims to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goal 5—achieving gender equality—and to create lasting, transformative change for generations to come. An Integrated, Survivor-Centered Strategy The Spotlight Initiative in Sierra Leone will implement a comprehensive, four-pillar approach:              1.           Laws, Policies, and Institutions — Strengthen legislation, enhance institutional capacity, and improve data systems to support prevention and justice.              2.           Prevention — Launch nationwide behavior-change campaigns and community education programs that challenge harmful social norms and practices.              3.           Response Services — Expand access to quality, survivor-centered health, legal, psychosocial, and protection services.              4.           Women's Movements — Empower and fund grassroots women-led and youth-led organisations to lead advocacy and accountability efforts. With funding of a little over $ 12,000 targeting Moyamba, Falaba, and Kailahun Districts, the 3.8 million Euros component of the project will target all the 16 districts, 48 chiefdoms and 48 wards (in the Western Area Rural and Urban). Key national partners include the Ministry of Gender and Children's Affairs, the Ministry of Finance, the Sierra Leone Police, traditional leaders and the justice sector.  Launch Event and Stakeholder Commitment At the launch ceremony, political leaders, development partners, civil society, and community representatives recommitted to ending gender-based violence through policy reform, community mobilisation, and strong institutional responses.  Statements from Key Stakeholders In her welcome address, Minister of Gender and Children's Affairs, Dr Isata Mahoi, thanked the Resident Coordinator, the Representatives of EU, UNDP, UNFPA, UNICEF, UN Women, and the Executive Director of Rainbo Initiative for their technical and supervisory roles in obtaining the final approved document. She also thanked her colleagues and the Minister of Finance for signing the agreement between the Government of Sierra Leone and the European Union. "I am one of the happiest today as we officially launch the Spotlight Initiative. This support from the European Union will go a long way to complement the implementation of my core mandate as the Minister responsible for women and children in this nation", the Minister emphasised.  The Executive Director of Rainbo Initiative, Daniel F. H Kettor, stated that the Initiative is more than just a response to gender-based violence, but a bold declaration that violence is not our culture, and silence is not our option, and that enough is enough. According to him, the statistics against gender-based violence against women and girls across Sierra Leone are sobering. He disclosed that in 2024 alone, over 3,000 cases of sexual violence were recorded across the seven Rainbo Centres. Survivors as young as 2 months and as old as 97 years came to them seeking care, comfort, and a path to their healing. “These numbers are not abstract; they represent real lives. They are our daughters, mothers, sisters, and wives", he said.  Gerald Hatler, Charge’ d'Affaires ai of the EU in Sierra Leone, said that what makes this Initiative particularly significant is its focused approach: among the many nations globally, only a select few in Africa are benefiting from this comprehensive programme. He was proud to highlight that Sierra Leone is one of the four pioneering African countries for this second phase of the programme, alongside Uganda, Zambia, and Liberia. "This selection underscores the recognition of Sierra Leone's commitment and the urgent need for action here", he noted. The EU, he maintained, firmly believes that true gender equality cannot be achieved as long as violence against women persists. This makes ending gender-based violence not just a women's issue, but truly everyone's issue, a societal challenge that demands collective attention and action. UN Resident Coordinator Seraphine Wakana, who is also Co-Chair of the Project Steering Committee, explained that violence against women and girls remains one of the most pervasive human rights violations of our time. Globally, nearly 1 in 3 women will experience physical or sexual violence in their lifetime. At the policy level, the UN Resident Coordinator called on the Government to institutionalise gender-responsive budgeting, strengthen data systems, and ensure that national frameworks are inclusive and rights-based. "At the community level, we will see an expansion of safe spaces, a scaling up of prevention programs, and more support to grassroots organisations, especially those led by women and girls,". Bilkish Kabia, a survivor shared her story to inspire hope and courage of how in 2022 as a schoolgirl in Kambia District, navigating life with a small circle of friends, and at the age of 16 often felt safer with her male friends, believing they offered protection and genuine companionship, but that one day, everything changed. Her trust betrayed, and the assault left her shattered, emotionally broken and stripped of the pride she had held so dearly"Today, I am an Outreach Intern, leading community efforts to raise awareness about the early warning signs of gender-based violence. More powerfully, I am part of the Survivor Solidarity Movement at Rainbo Initiative—a survivor-led platform where those affected by sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) unite, support each other, and drive advocacy for our needs", she revealed. Delivering the keynote address and officially launching the programme, the Chief Minister Dr David Moinina Sengeh who is also the Lead Co-Chair of the Project Steering Committee described the launch as a remarkable testament to the strength of national and international partnerships.He described Sierra Leone’s inclusion in the Spotlight Initiative 2.0 as having gone through rigorous consultations with the UN, the EU, the Government and other stakeholders including civil society.  This engagement culminated in development of the Spotlight Framework, which received final approval from the European Union,” Dr. Sengeh stated. He also highlighted the government’s achievements in the fight against GBV, including the strengthening of the Sexual Offences Act, the establishment of One-Stop Centres, the 116 GBV Hotline, safe homes, and a Sexual Offences Model Court. “We are seeing results. Survivors now have greater trust in the support systems, and more are stepping forward to seek justice,” he indicated.  

WFP 
Building readiness: NDMA, WFP, SLRCS and partners strengthen Sierra Leone’s emergency response capacity. 

To strengthen national capacity for effective disaster response, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP) and the Sierra Leone Red Cross Society, organized a three-day nationwide emergency preparedness and response workshop. The training aimed to improve coordination and readiness among key disaster management actors and included practical simulations to enhance operational capabilities during crises.  In his opening remarks, Mr. John Rogers, Deputy Director General of NDMA, provided a sobering overview of recent disasters in Sierra Leone. He emphasized that the adverse impacts of these events could have been significantly mitigated through adequate preparedness and readiness. Mr. Rogers underscored that the primary aim of the workshop was to strengthen the operational readiness of responders for more effective disaster management. He called on all stakeholders to shift the focus from reactive disaster response to proactive preparedness. He noted that selected partners were chosen based on their critical roles in disaster risk reduction. Key issues he highlighted included: The urgent need for inter-pillar coordination, which he noted has often been lacking.The critical role of early warning systems in improving preparedness.The importance of effective disaster communication. The workshop emphasised preparedness over response, promoting coordinated action, and data-driven planning. Key takeaways include the validation of Terms of Reference of response pillars, a shared understanding of national response strategies, and improved readiness tools such as the rapid assessment framework. The simulation exercise underscored the value of continuous testing and improvement of emergency plans to build a more resilient disaster management system in Sierra Leone. 
 UNICEF 
With support from UNICEF, Sierra Leone launched a National Life Skills Framework to empower adolescents. 

UNICEF, in collaboration with the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBSSE) and other development partners, on Wednesday, 2nd July, launched a Comprehensive Life Skills Framework which is a significant milestone in efforts to strengthen the relevance and impacts of education for young people.  The new framework is a forward-looking policy tool that integrates essential life skills—such as critical thinking, emotional resilience, problem-solving, teamwork, and empathy—into the national education system. It aims to ensure that every child in Sierra Leone is equipped not only with academic knowledge, but also with the personal and social skills necessary to navigate life, work, and society in an increasingly complex world. The framework was developed through a collaborative and consultative process involving government agencies, teachers, students, civil society organizations, and development partners. It is aligned with Sierra Leone’s national development objectives and global commitments, including Sustainable Development Goal 4 on inclusive and equitable quality education.  “This is a critical step forward and by embedding life skills in the senior secondary curriculum, Sierra Leone is investing in the full potential of adolescents and laying the foundation for a more resilient and inclusive generation,” said Liv Elin Indreiten, Acting UNICEF Representative in Sierra Leone. “UNICEF congratulates the MBSSE for its leadership and is proud to have supported this process. We call on all partners to work together to ensure its full and effective implementation.” 
UNFPA 
UNFPA joins African feminist leaders at the 4th NALAFEM Summit. 

From 1-2 July, UNFPA joined changemakers, feminist leaders, and survivors at the 4th NALAFEM Summit held under the theme “From Representation to Power: Women Leading in Crisis & Peace.” In a powerful video message during the Opening Ceremony, UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem reaffirmed UNFPA’s global commitment to advancing reproductive rights, gender equality, peace, and women’s leadership in crisis settings. 

In the panel “From the Margins to Leadership,” UNFPA Sierra Leone’s Officer-in-Charge, Ms. Sibeso Mululuma, emphasised that the agency’s work is grounded in the lived experiences of survivors. From prevention to recovery, we ensure survivors are not only heard but lead the way in shaping responses to gender-based violence and harmful practices.