02/06/2026
MoGCA ENGAGES TROCAIRE DELEGATION TO ADVANCE WOMEN'S EMPOWERMENT AND LEADERSHIP INITIATIVES THROUGH NEWMaP STRATEGIC PLANS
FREETOWN, June 1, 2026. The Ministry of Gender and Children's Affairs (MoGCA) on Monday convened a high-level strategic meeting with representatives from Trocaire and key stakeholders to discuss policies, frameworks, and interventions aimed at strengthening women's leadership, mentorship, and empowerment initiatives through the Network of Women Ministers and Parliamentarians (NEWMaP).
The engagement brought together senior officials from Trocaire, including Women's Empowerment Programme Technical Lead Sudie Austina Sellu, GBV and Inclusion Technical Lead Maurice Pewa, Social Norms and Women's Empowerment Global Advisor Laurelle Mbaraza, and Business Development and Grant Manager Sara Leicester.
Chairing the meeting, Sahr Kendema of Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) welcomed participants and underscored the significance of collaborative efforts in advancing women's empowerment and political participation in Sierra Leone.
Presenting an overview of NEWMaP, Coordinator of the NEWMaP Secretariat, Hannah Lahai Robinson, highlighted the network's mandate to strengthen the rights and leadership roles of women through the implementation of its strategic plan launched in August 2025.
She emphasized the importance of integrating female parliamentarians, ministers, and councillors into the network to enhance collaboration and advocacy on gender-related issues.
Speaking on media visibility and public engagement, NEWMaP representative Maxwella Sesay explained that the network has established online and media platforms to amplify its work and increase public awareness of women's empowerment initiatives.
She noted that the platforms would help popularize the Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment (GEWE) Act while showcasing activities, success stories, and advocacy campaigns aimed at promoting women's participation in leadership and decision-making.
Head of Programmes at Rainbo Initiative, Bob Lamin, highlighted the organization's ongoing efforts to address Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) across the country. He disclosed that Rainbo Initiative has successfully established operational one-stop centres in Bombali, Port Loko, and Kambia districts to provide comprehensive support services to survivors. He also emphasized the role of Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) and community engagement initiatives in promoting women's rights and economic empowerment at the grassroots level.
Providing the historical context behind the establishment of NEWMaP, Sahr Kendema noted that the network was created to support government efforts in enhancing women's capacity and participation in governance.
He explained that the GEWE Act emerged from the need to address systemic barriers affecting women and to promote gender equality across all sectors of society.
Kendema further highlighted the revitalization of the network through the active involvement of female parliamentarians and ministers, adding that the newly developed strategic plan will serve as a roadmap for strengthening the network's effectiveness and impact.
He commended the Ministry of Gender and Children's Affairs for its commitment to collaboration, which has facilitated the establishment of the NEWMaP Secretariat.
Chief Director of MoGCA, Charles Vandi, praised Trocaire and CGG for their steadfast support in promoting women's advancement and leadership.
He observed that the network required revitalization to better respond to contemporary challenges affecting women and reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to fostering greater opportunities for women's empowerment.
"The struggle for womanhood is about emancipating women from the social challenges that continue to hinder their progress.
We are grateful to our partners, CGG and Trocaire, for championing the advancement of women across Sierra Leone," Vandi stated.
Delivering the keynote remarks, Minister of Gender and Children's Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi, welcomed the delegation and reflected on the importance of reviving the network to create stronger collaboration among female ministers, parliamentarians, and councillors.
"There was a need to revive the organization," she said. "The vision is to create a platform where women in leadership can coordinate effectively and work collectively to strengthen women's representation and participation, particularly in decision-making positions."
Dr. Mahoi commended Trocaire for its continued support toward women's leadership development, capacity-building programmes, and empowerment initiatives, while stressing the need for deeper collaboration to achieve sustainable progress.
She also highlighted the persistent challenges faced by women in politics, including gender discrimination, marginalization, limited support systems, and societal barriers that discourage women's active participation in leadership.
According to the Minister, NEWMaP provides an important platform for women to strengthen their voices and expand their representation in governance and public affairs.
Addressing priority areas for future collaboration,
Dr. Mahoi identified the need for a national women's conference to provide a comprehensive assessment of the status of women in Sierra Leone, increased resources for implementing Ministry programmes, enhanced use of media as a tool for advocacy and public education, and expanded staffing support for the network.
The meeting concluded with a unanimous call for stronger partnerships, increased investment, and coordinated action to accelerate women's empowerment and enhance women's participation in leadership and decision-making across Sierra Leone.
