The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs today held a press briefing to announce the upcoming 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the launch of the Real Man Campaign. The launch, set to take place at the Bintumani Conference Hall on November 25, 2024, will feature the President and First Lady of Sierra Leone as critical attendees.
Assistant Director Bamie Sesay chaired the briefing, which was attended by representatives from UN Women, UNAIDS, the UN Resident Coordinator’s Office, SEND Salone, UNICEF, members of the media, and other key partners.
Collaboration to End GBV
In her opening remarks, Permanent Secretary Mrs. Aminata Sannoh expressed gratitude to the stakeholders partnering with the Ministry to ensure the campaign's success. She emphasized the importance of collaborative contributions in addressing the pressing issue of GBV.
Director of Gender, Ms. Goodie Sowonie, highlighted the comprehensive planning and strategic consultations leading up to the campaign. She stressed that the Real Man Campaign aims to educate men about their roles in eradicating GBV and promoting healthy relationships. Ms. Sowonie also outlined the campaign’s focus on vulnerable communities and schools, noting that the 16 Days of Activism is a platform to address the devastating impacts of GBV on individuals and society.
UN Women’s Commitment
A representative of UN Women applauded the Ministry for this year’s theme, which prioritizes tackling GBV and violence against children. The representative shared staggering global statistics, revealing that 36 million women are victims of sexual violence annually. She called for policy reforms, safe homes for survivors, and more vigorous collaborative efforts between the government and international organizations to address the root causes of GBV.
Minister’s Call to Action
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi, reaffirmed the Ministry’s unwavering commitment to ending violence against women and children. She underscored the importance of partnerships with the police, parliamentarians, and local authorities in addressing GBV.
Dr. Mahoi highlighted significant initiatives undertaken by the Ministry, including:
The final stages of enacting the Child Rights Act (CRA) bill.
Implementation of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act of 2022 to increase women’s participation in decision-making.
Development of the third-generation Sierra Leone National Action Plan (SILNAP III), which prioritizes women’s involvement in public and private leadership roles.
She also emphasized the Ministry’s focus on addressing cyberbullying, child labor, equal access to education, and children’s participation in social activities. The Minister announced the establishment of one-stop centers in collaboration with the Rainbow Initiative to provide comprehensive support to survivors of GBV and sexual violence.
“Enough is enough! Violence against women must stop,” Dr. Mahoi declared as she called for national solidarity in the fight against GBV.
Q&A Session with the Media
The press briefing concluded with a robust question-and-answer session. Journalists raised concerns about issues such as child trafficking and the enforcement of anti-GBV policies. Dr. Mahoi responded decisively, reaffirming her Ministry’s resolve to address these issues and restore confidence among women and children across Sierra Leone.
As Sierra Leone prepares for the 16 Days of Activism, the Ministry’s commitment, coupled with the support of partners and stakeholders, signals a united front in the fight to end GBV and promote gender equality.
Kelvin Mark Kargbo
Email: Mkelson367@mail.com
Phone: +232 80 644-582
Comments