Ministry of Gender Convenes Stakeholders to Finalise Child Protection Framework.

-The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA) held a high-level meeting on Wednesday with development partners, civil society, and non-governmental organisations to push forward a national framework aimed at preventing and responding to violence against children.

The gathering at the Ministry’s headquarters brought together senior officials, UNICEF, the National Commission for Children, World Vision, the Children’s Forum Network (CFN), and other child protection agencies.

Speaking on behalf of Minister Dr. Isata Mahoi, Chief Director Charles Vandi reaffirmed the government’s commitment to safeguarding women and children. He noted that child protection priorities align with the Medium-Term National Development Plan and the Sustainable Development Goals, especially Goal 5 on gender equality.

“No society can achieve sustainable development while systemic inequalities persist,” Vandi said, stressing the need for social inclusion, equality, and access to justice. He thanked UN Women and other partners for their support, while calling for shared responsibility in delivering people-centred solutions.

Assistant Director Laura Koroma presented the draft framework, outlining strategies to tackle child marriage, sexual abuse, neglect, exploitation, female genital mutilation (FGM), and violence. She recalled the recent Bogotá ministerial conference where about 150 countries, including Sierra Leone, renewed global child protection pledges. Minister Mahoi had reiterated at that conference the country’s resolve to strengthen laws, policies, and services for every child, regardless of status or location.

The framework rests on several pillars: harmonising child protection laws, changing harmful social norms through behavioural programmes, promoting positive parenting, and building responsive support services for survivors.

During plenary sessions, participants gave critical feedback. The Children’s Forum Network specifically called for greater involvement of children in the drafting process to ensure their voices are reflected. All agreed the document remains a working draft, to be refined by a technical working group before final validation.

In closing, Acting Director Daniel Albert Gbow thanked attendees for their active engagement and urged them to maintain momentum ahead of follow-up meetings scheduled for May.

The initiative is part of ongoing government efforts to build an inclusive child protection system that guarantees safety, dignity, and well-being for every child in Sierra Leone.

Correspondent-Kelvin Mark Kargbo

MoGCA communications Unit

Email: mkelson367@gmail.com