The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, under the leadership of Minister Dr Isata Mahoi, held a coordination meeting with representatives from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to discuss collaborative strategies for enhancing development programs for women and girls in Sierra Leone.
Minister Dr. Isata Mahoi welcomed the ECOWAS delegation and senior ministry officials, including Chief Director Joseph Sinnah, Deputy Chief Director Charles Vandy, Deputy Secretary Andrew A.B. Kamara, Director of Planning Ibrahim Kamara, and Deputy Minister Hindowa Bindi. The ECOWAS delegation was led by Mrs Finda Koroma, former ECOWAS Vice President and CEO of the African Human Capital Development Trust (HCDT), along with Fatou Sou Savi, ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs (HDAS); Harouna Moussa, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Sierra Leone; Sandra Ovlate Fattah, Director of the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre (EGDC); and Isatou Combeh Njai, Acting Director of the ECOWAS Committee.
Mrs. Finda Koroma emphasized ECOWAS's commitment to implementing programs that address the needs of women, particularly those affected by obstetric fistula, and to distributing sanitary pads to young girls. She revealed plans to establish a sanitary pad production factory in Sierra Leone to improve menstrual hygiene management and empower women through employment opportunities.
Isatou Combeh Njai highlighted the lack of access to sanitary pads for nearly 50% of young girls in Sierra Leone and stressed the importance of vocational and technical training programs for women. She noted that ECOWAS would mobilise resources to support the proposed factory and additional initiatives aimed at helping women with fistula and marginalised groups.
Minister Dr Isata Mahoi commended ECOWAS for its continued support and emphasised its collaboration with other government institutions to implement empowerment programs. She mentioned the soon-to-be-commissioned correctional centre, which will provide vocational training for rehabilitated women, enabling them to reintegrate into society. Dr. Mahoi also identified priority districts for project implementation and reaffirmed the Ministry's dedication to women’s empowerment through community outreach campaigns and partnerships.
The meeting concluded with a renewed commitment to collaboration between the Ministry and ECOWAS, followed by a group photograph.
Kelvin Mark Kargbo Sierra Leone News Agency
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