MoGCA Pushes Stronger National Front Against Gender-Based Violence

Freetown, July 23, 2026 (SLENA)-The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs convened key state institutions, development partners, and civil society actors for a quarterly National Committee on Gender-Based Violence Steering Committee meeting, with renewed calls for stronger coordination, sharper public awareness, and more reliable data systems to fight against gender-based violence.

The meeting, held at the Ministry’s headquarters in Freetown, focused on progress made, gaps still slowing response efforts, and urgent steps needed to strengthen protection for women, girls, and other survivors across the country.

Opening proceedings, Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs Dr. Isata Mahoi described the quarterly forum as critical to building united action against GBV. She urged members to restore momentum within the Steering Committee through regular engagement, stronger partnerships, and closer coordination among institutions charged with protecting vulnerable groups.

Dr. Mahoi also pressed for wider public education, calling on partners to simplify and localize messages on gender-based violence, especially laws protecting women and girls, so communities can better understand both their rights and the consequences of abuse.

“People need to understand what gender-based violence means,” she said, while stressing the need for stronger documentation and accurate records on survivors and perpetrators to support sound planning, policy decisions, and service delivery.

Deputy Chief Director Marian Goodie Sowonie presented minutes and action points from the previous meeting, outlining progress in reviewing the GBV draft document, refining coordination mechanisms, clarifying roles of committee members, revising the Terms of Reference, strengthening the national GBV data dashboard, and improving systems for collecting and tracking survivor information.

National GBV Coordinator Ramatu Kargbo gave an update on ongoing national coordination efforts, highlighting achievements from meetings, workshops, and targeted interventions designed to reinforce Sierra Leone’s response framework. She said improved documentation and management of survivor data remain central to shaping effective interventions and measuring impact.

Representing the United Nations Development Programme, Gender Specialist Mrs. Kadiatu Bachalle Taylor said stronger collaboration among committee members, backed by firm oversight from MoGCA, would significantly improve the reach and effectiveness of GBV interventions nationwide.

Rainbow Initiative Head of Programmes, Bob Lamin highlighted ongoing work within universities and tertiary institutions, where support systems for survivors are being strengthened, and awareness campaigns expanded among young people.

During the interactive session, participants proposed measures aimed at tightening the national response. Key recommendations included improved access to survivor data for authorized institutions, stronger information-sharing and referral pathways, better coordination among committee members, consistent case tracking from survivor reports to perpetrator records, wider community awareness campaigns, stronger reporting mechanisms, and sustained efforts to drive behavioral change.

Participants agreed that public education and community engagement remain indispensable in preventing violence, breaking the silence around abuse, and ensuring survivors receive timely protection and support.

The meeting ended with unanimous commitment from partners to deepen collaboration, improve data management, and strengthen Sierra Leone’s protection systems in the continuing fight against gender-based violence.