MoGCA, Partners Validate Gender Accountability Framework.

Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs convened senior government officials, gender focal persons, and development partners on the 27th January, 2026 for a critical high-level validation meeting to finalizing a new Draft Gender Accountability Framework and evaluating progress on the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act of 2022.

Held at the CCSL Hall, the meeting gathered key figures including Deputy Chief Director Marian Goodie Sowonie, Director of Strategic Planning and Policy Ibrahim Kamara, and Deputy Director of the Gender Directorate Bamie J. Sesay. Representatives from the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa also participated as part of an ongoing regional scoping mission.

Chair Harry Mahoi opened proceedings, welcoming participants and acknowledging UNECA’s supportive role in assessing institutional progress on gender commitments. Deputy Director Bamie J. Sesay then outlined the core objective of transforming the draft framework into a practical, universal tool for monitoring and reporting gender mainstreaming efforts across all Ministries, Departments and Agencies.

“These reporting tools will be our key priority,” Sesay stated, urging collaborative refinement. “They are essential for collecting accurate gender-disaggregated data and ensuring real accountability.”

Director Ibrahim Kamara presented the framework’s architecture, explaining its direct foundation in the GEWE Act particularly the mandate for at least 30% female representation in leadership. He detailed two tailored reporting templates for public and private sectors designed to track thematic indicators, leadership demographics, and policy alignment.

“This is an innovative initiative, aligned with global standards like the UN Gender Scorecard,” Kamara said. He identified gender mainstreaming, equality, and financial inclusion as pivotal areas the framework seeks to strengthen through measurable indicators and guided assessment.

The subsequent feedback session yielded substantive recommendations. Participants advocated for including board chairpersons in thematic assessments and ensuring alignment with Sierra Leone’s Disability Act to guarantee disability-friendly public institutions.

A representative Ministry of Sports praised the framework as “a strategic roadmap for empowerment and accountability.” Other contributions highlighted the need to incorporate stronger childcare policies, capture paternity leave data, and improve overall disaggregation of gender statistics to reveal deeper disparities.

The session concluded with a shared resolve to advance gender equality standards nationwide. Officials announced plans for follow-up training workshops to familiarize all stakeholders with the finalized framework, ensuring it becomes a living document for driving tangible change.

Correspondent-Kelvin Mark Kargbo

Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs

Email: mkelson367@gmail.com