Government of Sierra Leone, UNDP, UN Women, and World Vision Host Three-Day Workshop on Financing Women, Peace, and Security

The Government of Sierra Leone, in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), UN Women, and World Vision, convened a three-day national workshop from April 23 to 25, 2025, at the Atlantic Hotel in Freetown. The workshop focused on sustainable financing for the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda.

The event brought together key stakeholders, policymakers, development partners, civil society representatives, and women-led organisations to discuss innovative financing mechanisms and policy frameworks that empower women as active agents in peace and security processes.

The opening session featured high-level remarks from Dr. Aisha Fofanah Ibrahim, who chaired the event and welcomed participants while stressing the importance of investing in women-led peace and security initiatives. “The challenges women face in this country cut across the socio-political and economic landscapes. Strong policy frameworks and financing mechanisms are essential to drive inclusive progress,” she emphasised.

In her keynote welcome address, UN Resident Coordinator Mrs. Seraphine Wakana hailed the initiative as a significant step toward sustainable peace and gender equity. “Women are not just beneficiaries of peace—they are key contributors. Their participation must be adequately financed to ensure equitable development,” she said. Wakana cited the implementation of frameworks such as Silnap III and the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act as evidence of progress, while urging more resource allocation to women-centred initiatives.

Representing the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Development Secretary Mr. Usman Chery Conteh highlighted economic instability as a significant barrier to supporting women, especially at the grassroots and post-conflict levels. He reaffirmed the government's commitment to alternative, inclusive financing strategies, calling on non-state actors and development partners to align with national priorities for women’s empowerment.

In her statement, Minister of Fisheries and Marine Resources, Mrs. Princess Dugba, underscored the disproportionate impact of disasters and conflicts on women and stressed the need for greater support across all sectors.

Hon. Mariama Zombo, representing the Female Parliamentary Caucus, emphasised the importance of inclusive partnerships and data-driven planning. Women comprise 52% of Sierra Leone’s population and 20% of business ownership. With political will and financial access, these numbers can grow,” she said. Zombo reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to gender-sensitive legislation and budgetary allocations to MDAS supporting women.

Also speaking on behalf of civil society, Vice National Chairperson of the CSO Coalition, Emelia Kamara, urged stakeholders to move beyond tokenistic support. “Financing women is not charity—it is necessary for achieving lasting peace,” she stressed, calling for more investments in capacity-building programs and grassroots initiatives.

Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs Dr. Isata Mahoi praised development partners and reiterated the government’s unwavering commitment to the WPS agenda. “We have shown consistent commitment to implementing UNSCR 1325 through successive National Action Plans,” she said. Mahoi highlighted recent policy milestones, including the GEWE Act (2022), the Customary Land Rights Act (2023), the Employment Act (2023), and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2024), among others. She also cited the growth in women’s participation in national governance, comprising 30% of Members of Parliament and 23% of the police force.

The first day concluded with a robust panel discussion on the challenges, milestones, and opportunities in financing WPS initiatives.

Days two and three featured thematic breakout sessions, dialogue with women-led organisations, and collective reflections from participants. The workshop concluded with strong recommendations for sustained multi-stakeholder investment, gender-responsive budgeting, and enhanced technical support for women’s inclusion in peace and security processes.

Kelvin Mark Kargbo

Email: mkelson367@gmail.com

Phone: 078104964 / 080644582

Sierra Leone News Agency (SLENA)