MoGCA Concludes Intensive Gender Framework Training for MDAs.

The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA) has successfully concluded a pivotal two-day training workshop for Gender Focal Persons across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs). The intensive program focused on the operational Gender Accountability Framework and the rigorous implementation of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act, 2022.

Held on January 29–30, 2026, the workshop equipped participants with practical tools to mandate, measure, and report on gender mainstreaming within their institutions. The training targeted strengthened governance and consolidated equality efforts at every administrative level.

Senior MoGCA leadership, including Chief Director of Protection Charles Vandi and Director of Strategic Planning Ibrahim Kamara, spearheaded engagements. Partner institutions joined departmental deputies and planning directors to underscore a unified government commitment.

“This Framework is our essential tool,” stated Chief Director Vandi, opening the session. He championed data-driven policy and highlighted gender-responsive budgeting as a non-negotiable pillar for tangible equality outcomes.

Deputy Director Bamie J. Sesay detailed workshop objectives: deepening Framework comprehension and amplifying hands-on mainstreaming expertise. He called for active collaboration, valuing participant insight as critical to national success.

Director Ibrahim Kamara established core concepts, defining strategic priorities from women’s empowerment to family planning. “Mainstreaming demands structural foundations, cultural change, and clear institutional ownership,” he asserted.

Aminata Mansaray from the Ministry of Finance tackled gender-responsive budgeting. Introduced in 2025 with IMF/AFWZ support, it ensures equitable resource allocation. Mansaray identified current challenges weak sector prioritization, limited focal person authority and advocated for better data and increased fiscal commitment.

Day two delivered advanced technical engagements. UN Women Programme Specialist Baindu Massaquoi presented the UNCT-SWAP Scorecard for assessing equality across programming and institutional architecture. Saimatu Fofanah of Statistics Sierra Leone established data as the bedrock of evidence-based gender outcomes.

Director Kamara returned with a definitive analysis of the GEWE Act, outlining provisions for 30% women’s representation in Parliament and public office, protections against pregnancy-based dismissal, and mandates for non-discrimination in employment.

Participants unanimously reaffirmed the Framework and GEWE Act as transformative instruments. They pledged to deploy new tools to dismantle gender gaps and accelerate women’s empowerment across every MDA.

Correspondent-Kelvin Mark Kargbo

MoGCA Communications Unit

Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs

Email: mkelson367@gmail.com