MINISTRIES OF GENDER, FOREIGN AFFAIRS, AND UNICEF HOST NATIONAL VALIDATION WORKSHOP ON CHILD RIGHTS REPORT

The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, in collaboration with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation and UNICEF, on Thursday hosted a one-day national dialogue to validate Sierra Leone’s report to the United Nations Committee on the Rights of the Child.

Held at the CCSL Hall in Freetown, the national dialogue brought together key stakeholders from government, civil society, child-led organisations, and development partners. The aim was to review and provide final input to the report before its submission to the UN Committee as part of Sierra Leone’s obligations under the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (UNCRC).

Delivering the keynote address, the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi, officially declared the dialogue open and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to upholding and promoting child rights. She noted that Sierra Leone had received the concluding observations on its 2nd to 5th periodic reports and embarked on an inclusive and participatory process in drafting its following report. “This validation is a critical milestone in our efforts to reflect the views, challenges, and aspirations of children across the country,” she stated.

Minister Mahoi commended UNICEF for its technical and financial support throughout the process and acknowledged the contributions of civil society organisations, the Child Rights Coalition, and child representatives.

UNICEF Country Representative, Mr. Rudolf Schwenk, underscored the importance of collective action in protecting children’s rights. He emphasised UNICEF’s continued support to the government in data generation, community engagement, and policy development. “This report is not just a document—it is a reflection of our collective resolve to build a better future for children,” he remarked.

Chairperson of the National Commission for Democracy (NCD), Marian A. Sanu, highlighted the Commission’s mandate to promote civic awareness, democracy, and inclusion. She noted the relevance of civic education in empowering children and emphasised the need for safe spaces for dialogue. “Validation is part of the world’s vision for children,” she noted, stressing the importance of equality, justice, and access to quality education.

The Deputy Commissioner of the National Commission for Children (NCC), Mr. Henry Sheku, stated that the validation report was a product of effective collaboration between government ministries, civil society, children, and international partners. He called for continued action beyond reporting to address children’s well-being issues.

Also addressing the gathering, Brima Conteh from the Child Rights Coalition reaffirmed the Coalition’s partnership with the government in protecting children’s interests. He described the validation as an opportunity to ensure that the report reflects the lived realities of children, especially the most vulnerable

Representing the Children’s Forum Network (CFN), Morrison Bockarie passionately appealed for the inclusion of children’s voices in policymaking. “Are children involved in the decision-making process?” he asked, urging stakeholders to move beyond consultation to active participation. He called for more investment in education, inclusion, and child-centered social policies.

Other key speakers included Madam Aminata Y. Sannoh, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, and Deputy Chief Director Charles Vandi, who both reiterated the ministry’s dedication to fulfilling its child protection mandate.

The national dialogue concluded with breakout sessions that allowed participants to review the draft report and offer final recommendations to strengthen its content and relevance.

Sierra Leone’s report to the Committee on the Rights of the Child will contribute to the country’s periodic review by the UN, helping assess progress and identify areas for further action in promoting the rights and welfare of children.