Freetown, 6th December 2024 – In a major step forward for women’s leadership in Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA) has officially launched the NeWMaP Secretariat, housed at its headquarters. The inauguration marks a significant milestone in strengthening the capacity of the Network of Women Ministers and Parliamentarians (NeWMaP) to promote gender equality, women’s empowerment, and inclusive governance.
The event brought together high-level officials, civil society partners, and members of NeWMaP, including:
Hon. Dr. Isata Mahoi, Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs
Hon. Hindowa Bindi, Deputy Minister
Chief Director Joseph Sunday Sinnah
Director of Children’s Affairs, Mrs. Joyce Kamara
Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Aminata Sannoh
Gender Director, Madam Goodie Sowonie
Representatives from the Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) and Trocaire
A Commitment to Advancing Women’s Leadership
The launch ceremony was hosted by Madam Goodie Sowonie , MoGCA’s Gender Director, who outlined the objectives of the NeWMaP Secretariat. She emphasized that the office will serve as a central hub for coordination, planning, and implementation of initiatives aimed at empowering women in governance.
Permanent Secretary Mrs. Aminata Sannoh delivered a warm welcome address, urging the newly appointed Secretariat staff to carry out their duties with professionalism, dedication, and transparency. She reiterated the Ministry’s firm commitment to promoting gender inclusivity and ensuring that women have equal opportunities to lead and shape national development.
Strengthening Institutional Support for Women Leaders
A representative from NeWMaP highlighted the importance of the new office in enhancing collaboration among female leaders across political divides. They also unveiled essential tools such as printers, desks, and stationery provided to ensure smooth operations.
Mrs. Marcella Samba-Sesay of the CGG outlined the shared responsibilities of CGG and NeWMaP in building strategic partnerships with parliament and nurturing the growth of women in legislative spaces. She emphasised the need for unity, accountability, and active engagement to ensure the Secretariat’s long-term success.
Trocaire Reaffirms Support for Gender Equality
The Country Director of Trocaire reaffirmed the organisation’s ongoing commitment to advancing gender equality and addressing poverty and social injustice in Sierra Leone. She praised MoGCA and NeWMaP for taking bold steps toward greater inclusion of women in decision-making processes.
Keynote Address by the Minister of Gender
In her keynote address, Minister Dr. Isata Mahoi celebrated the official opening of the Secretariat as a historic achievement for women’s representation in politics. She reiterated the Ministry’s focus on ending gender-based violence (GBV) and expanding opportunities for women across all sectors.
Grand Ribbon-Cutting Ceremony
The event concluded with a symbolic ribbon-cutting ceremony led by Dr. Mahoi , officially marking the opening of the NeWMaP Secretariat. The audience responded with enthusiastic applause, reflecting a shared vision of a more inclusive and equitable political landscape in Sierra Leone.
