Sierra Leone Delegation Attends Gender Equality Seminar in China

Sierra Leone Delegation Attends Gender Equality Seminar in China

Representatives from Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs and the Office of the First Lady attended a two-week capacity-building seminar in China. The initiative focuses on enhancing women and child protection frameworks and advancing gender equality objectives.

Scheduled from June 18 to July 1, 2026, the programme facilitates knowledge exchange among participants from Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Nigeria, Guyana, and other developing nations regarding social protection systems and child welfare. The seminar is sponsored by the Government of China via the Ministry of Commerce under the framework of South-South cooperation.

This training is particularly significant for Sierra Leone as the nation addresses persistent challenges such as gender-based violence, teenage pregnancy, and child labor. These efforts complement existing legislative reforms, including the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act (2022) and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act (2024).

During the opening session, Madam Han Yan, Vice President of China Women’s University, detailed China’s advancements in female workforce participation, which now stands at approximately 40 percent. She emphasized that strategic investment in education remains a cornerstone of China’s progress in gender equality.

Delegates highlighted the necessity of policy innovation and skill acquisition. Ms. Bintou H.K. Fatty of The Gambia underscored the timeliness of the programme, while Nigeria’s Ms. Zainab Tani Zakari Awami advocated for increased investment in women’s proficiencies within the agriculture, technology, and entrepreneurship sectors.

Mr. Ibrahim Kamara, Director of Policy and Strategic Planning for Sierra Leone’s delegation, stated that the seminar offers critical insights into practical strategies for bolstering child protection and mitigating violence against vulnerable groups.

He further noted that the delegation aims to cultivate partnerships that will support future social protection initiatives and livelihood programmes within Sierra Leone.

While analysts acknowledge the value of international cooperation, they maintain that the ultimate efficacy of such exchanges depends on the successful implementation of these strategies within national service delivery frameworks.

The seminar is expected to strengthen bilateral cooperation between Sierra Leone and China while advancing shared sustainable development goals in upcoming days.