Justice Sector Receives New Resource to Advance Gender Equality, Women’s Empowerment

The Judiciary of Sierra Leone has formally handed over a Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Resource Document to Justice Sector stakeholders to support gender-responsive practices, capacity building and the implementation of gender equality measures.

The handover took place on Friday, 28 August 2026, at Sierra Palms Resort in Aberdeen, Freetown, bringing together representatives of the Judiciary, Justice Sector Coordination Office (JSCO), development partners and other stakeholders.

Representing Chief Justice Hon. Justice Komba Kamanda, Court of Appeal Justice Jamesina Essie King said the Chief Justice remains committed to the initiative. She described the document as a capacity-building resource that provides guidance and materials for mainstreaming gender considerations across the Justice Sector.

Justice King stressed that the completion of the document places responsibility on justice-sector stakeholders to ensure its effective implementation. She also cited figures showing that women account for approximately 71 percent of magistrates and 29 percent of judges, saying the statistics provide a basis for continued reflection and efforts to advance gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Speaking for The Carter Center, Rule of Law Project Coordinator Mohamed Bobor Jalloh described the initiative as a major milestone under its Rule of Law Programme in Sierra Leone. He said the Center secured funding in 2024 through Democracy International, with support from USAID, to implement the Gender Equality and Rights in the Justice Sector (GEAR) Project in partnership with JSCO and other stakeholders.

The project supports implementation of the GEWE Act of 2022 and strengthens gender-equity practices within the justice system. Gender diagnostics conducted in selected Magistrates’ Courts have informed gender-sensitisation training, GEWE implementation and monitoring plans, awareness campaigns and the review of human-resource policies.

JSCO Head Shahid M. Korjie commended the Judiciary for its partnership and support, saying its cooperation created an enabling environment for the diagnostic exercise and other project activities. He stressed the importance of continued collaboration among the Judiciary, legal practitioners, development partners and other institutions in sustaining progress.

The resource document follows a validation exercise held on 24 July 2026 at Country Lodge Hotel in Hill Station, where the Judiciary reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening gender-responsive practices. During the exercise, Justice Sesay, representing the Chief Justice, highlighted progress in the recruitment and promotion of women within the Magistrates’ Courts and strategic administrative positions.

He also underscored the importance of Gender-Sensitive Human Resources Guidelines in addressing bias, stereotypes and discriminatory practices that could affect judicial decision-making and courtroom procedures.

The formal handover now provides Justice Sector stakeholders with a reference tool to guide continued efforts to integrate gender equality and women’s empowerment into institutional policies and practices.

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