National Strategy Launched to Protect Children from Violence
Government agencies, UNICEF, and civil society convene in Freetown to establish unified child protection priorities ahead of the global Manila summit.
Government institutions, international development partners, and civil society organisations gathered in Freetown on September 10 to establish a comprehensive national strategy aimed at protecting children from abuse, exploitation, and digital harassment.
The high-level preparatory meeting, convened by the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs alongside UNICEF and the World Health Organization (WHO), brought together key stakeholders and representatives from the Children’s Forum Network to define national commitments prior to the Second Global Ministerial Conference on Ending Violence Against Children in Manila, Philippines, scheduled for November 18–19, 2026.
Opening the session, Chief Director Charles Vandi recalled Sierra Leone’s participation in the initial global conference in Bogotá, Colombia, emphasizing that the current preparatory phase must yield clear, actionable national priorities.
Meeting chair Abdul Manaff Kemokai, Executive Director of Defence for Children International–Sierra Leone, described the forum as a vital venue for institutional self-assessment, gap identification, and cross-sectoral alignment.
UNICEF Country Representative Mariko Kagoshima commended Sierra Leone's legislative progress while highlighting persistent challenges, including child marriage, female genital mutilation (FGM), and sexual violence. Kagoshima urged a coordinated "whole-of-government" framework to ensure systemic child safety nationwide.
Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs Dr. Isata Mahoi called for expanded funding in child protection programs and public awareness initiatives, while emphasizing progress in incorporating youth perspectives into policy decisions. "We have strengthened the participation of children in key decision-making roles," Dr. Mahoi noted.
Assistant Director Laura Koroma outlined key focal areas for the national agenda, including parental support programs, enhanced social protection systems, workforce capacity building, and targeted measures against harmful practices.
Addressing modern protection challenges, representatives from the Ministry of Communication, Technology and Innovation underscored the rise of online bullying, cyber threats, and digital exploitation, urging robust legislative and technical safeguards as internet accessibility expands.
In the education sector, Julianna Konneh of the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education highlighted ongoing efforts across 13,000 schools nationwide to eliminate school-related gender-based violence and foster secure learning environments.
Community-level preventative measures were also highlighted by Hannah Koroma of the Ministry of Social Welfare, who advocated for positive parenting frameworks, and Alpha Kuyateh of the Ministry of Local Government and Community Affairs, who called for localized protection structures.
Framing child safety as a broader state priority, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs David Fortune stated that violence against children is a fundamental national security concern. Fortune called on security personnel to adhere to strict professional standards when managing cases involving minors.
Former legislator Sunday Sinnah reinforced the need for sustainable, dedicated financing to support long-term interventions rather than temporary solutions.
Assistant Director Bashiru Thullah detailed the national legal architecture supporting these goals, pointing to key instruments such as the Child Rights Act, the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, and the National Child Safeguarding Policy.
As Sierra Leone finalizes its commitments for the Manila conference, delegates emphasized that success will ultimately depend on translating international policy goals into tangible protections across homes, classrooms, and online spaces nationwide.
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