Southern Region Hosts Police Gender Training
The Sierra Leone Police, in partnership with UN Women, has taken another significant step towards strengthening gender-responsive policing as the Southern Region hosts a two-day capacity-building training programme for Gender Focal Persons drawn from the seven Police Divisions across the region.
The training, which commenced on Wednesday, 11th November 2026, at the Bo East Division Hall in Bo City, is scheduled to conclude today, Thursday, 12th November 2026. It forms part of a broader national initiative aimed at enhancing the capacity of police personnel to understand, promote, and effectively respond to gender-related concerns within the policing environment.
The gathering has brought together selected police personnel representing Bo East, Bo West, Moyamba, Bonthe, Pujehun, Rutile, and Mano River Divisions, providing a valuable platform for professional interaction, knowledge-sharing, and the strengthening of institutional approaches to gender equality and inclusivity.
The programme is being implemented under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, Mr. William Fayia Sellu, whose administration continues to place considerable emphasis on professional development, institutional strengthening, and the transformation of the Sierra Leone Police into a more responsive, accountable, and people-centred institution.
For the Southern Region, the training represents an important opportunity to deepen officers' understanding of the responsibilities attached to their respective roles as Gender Focal Persons, particularly in promoting fairness, protecting human dignity, and ensuring that gender considerations are adequately reflected in police operations and service delivery.
The Regional Police Commander South, Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Joseph Ibrahim Lahai, recognizes that effective policing goes beyond the enforcement of law and order, demanding professionalism, sound judgement, respect for human rights, and an appreciation of the different circumstances and vulnerabilities of people who come into contact with the police.
Under his regional leadership, the participation of personnel from all seven divisions demonstrates the importance of building a common understanding of gender-responsive policing across the Southern Region. It also provides an opportunity for officers to examine professional practices, strengthen their institutional knowledge, and identify practical ways of improving the relationship between the police and the communities they serve.
Gender equality and inclusivity are essential components of modern policing. A police officer's ability to recognize gender-related challenges, handle sensitive complaints appropriately, and treat every individual with fairness and dignity contributes directly to public confidence in the institution.
The training therefore provides participants with an opportunity to appreciate the significance of gender mainstreaming in everyday police responsibilities, including community engagement, investigations, operational activities, personnel management, and the handling of vulnerable persons.
The initiative is being coordinated nationally by the Director of Gender and Community Affairs, ACP Esther Saffa, in collaboration with the Head of Training, Sierra Leone Police, DSP Alphan Kamara. Their professional guidance and the partnership with UN Women underscore the importance of collaboration in advancing gender equality and strengthening the institutional capacity of the Force.
For the participating officers from the Southern Region, the expectation extends beyond attendance and the acquisition of certificates. They are expected to translate the knowledge gained into practical improvements within their respective divisions, while serving as resource persons and advocates for gender-sensitive approaches to policing.
The two-day engagement also reinforces the need for stronger institutional cooperation, where every police officer, irrespective of rank, gender, or appointment, understands their responsibility in promoting a professional working environment free from discrimination, prejudice, and unfair treatment.
As the programme approaches its conclusion today, Thursday, 12th November 2026, the Southern Region stands to benefit from a strengthened network of Gender Focal Persons equipped with improved knowledge and a clearer understanding of their responsibilities.
Ultimately, the success of gender-responsive policing will not be measured only by the number of officers trained, but by the positive changes their knowledge and conduct bring to the institution and the communities they serve.
The Southern Region's participation in this national initiative is another demonstration of the Sierra Leone Police's commitment to continuous learning, institutional development, and the delivery of a professional, inclusive, and accountable police service.
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