Policy Brief: Strengthening Policies for Women’s and Children’s Rights in Sierra Leone – June 2026
Sierra Leone has adopted important legal and policy measures to protect women and children, including the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2022, the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024, the Sexual Offences Act, the Child Rights Act, and sectoral policies on reproductive health and gender-based violence. However, the main challenge is no longer simply the absence of laws but the persistent gap between policy intent and implementation, particularly in rural and underserved communities where services, enforcement, and accountability remain weak. This policy brief refines the existing draft by organizing the issues around five priority policy areas: gender-based violence, child marriage, female genital mutilation, adolescent pregnancy, and women’s political participation. It advocates for a practical reform agenda focused on stronger enforcement, increased financing, survivor- and child-centered services, improved district-level accountability, inclusive participation, and a dedicated monitoring framework to track progress and ensure effective implementation.
