Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA), in collaboration with its partners, convened this important engagement as part of activities commemorating World Children’s Day under the theme: “My Day, My Right.” During the meeting, children from across the country directly engaged parliamentarians, sharing their insight, raise issues affecting their well-being, and proposed actionable recommendations.
The event brought together high-level delegations, including the UNICEF Country Representative, Rudolf Schwenk; MoGCA’s Permanent Secretary, Aminata Y. Sannoh; and Members of Parliament such as Abdul Murray Conteh (Legislative Chairman), Mariama Zombo, and Alpha Foday Madi Jabbie (Chairman for Basic and Secondary Education). Children from the Children’s Forum Network (CFN) across district levels also participated.
Abdul Murray Conteh expressed deep appreciation for the remarkable turnout of children nationwide. He commended the Ministry and its partners for organising such a transformative initiative. Speaking on behalf of Parliament, he underscored the importance of child protection, the urgency of addressing children’s issues, and Parliament’s commitment to enacting laws that safeguard and advance the rights of children.
Permanent Secretary Aminata Y. Sannoh praised the resilience, strength, and remarkable potential of Sierra Leonean children. She stressed the significance of World Children’s Day as a moment to evaluate existing child protection laws and amplify the voices of children, especially in spaces where they are often unheard.
She reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to championing children’s welfare through initiatives such as the 116 toll-free line for reporting GBV and SGBV cases, the establishment of One-Stop Centres in districts, and the enforcement of legal frameworks protecting children from abuse, exploitation, neglect, and early marriage. She urged all stakeholders to uphold the spirit of the theme, emphasizing: “My day, my right.”
UNICEF Country Director Rudolf Schwenk highlighted the importance of ensuring every child’s rights are respected and protected, regardless of region, tribe, or background. Emphasizing the right to non-discrimination, he reminded the audience: “Children are not here to be seen, but to be heard.” He called for increased access to quality education, healthcare, nutrition, water and sanitation, and equitable opportunities for all children. Schwenk reaffirmed UNICEF’s unwavering commitment to strengthening systems that uphold children’s rights.
During the interactive session, parliamentarians reaffirmed their dedication to promoting children’s rights. Hon. Mariama Zombo emphasized Parliament’s support for laws discouraging corporal punishment in schools, and highlighted key policies such as the prohibition of child marriage and the Child Rights Act. She further underscored the government and partners’ commitment to investing in human capital development, particularly healthcare.
The event concluded with a group photograph featuring children from across the country, officials from the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, and Members of Parliament, symbolizing a united front to address challenges affecting children and to champion sustainable, child-centered solutions.
For More News And Analysis About Sierra-Leone Follow Africa-Press
