Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA) in Sierra Leone hosted a high-level meeting on Monday, 9th June, 2025 at the Plan International conference hall, bringing together government officials, a Moroccan delegation, and child rights organizations to discuss collaboration on child welfare.
The Sierra Leonean delegation included Deputy Chief Director Charles Vandi, Director of Children’s Affairs Mrs. Joyce B. Kamara, and Assistant Director Laura Kororma.
They were joined by representatives from child protection organizations, including Philipa Cride-Dole, President of the Children’s Forum Network (CFN), and Elizabeth Mamusu Sleveng, Advocacy Manager at World Vision.
The Moroccan delegation featured Hamza Chbihi, Counsellor at the Embassy of Morocco; Professor Ghizlane Banjellovn, Vice President of ONDE and a child psychiatry expert; and Mrs. Soukaina Kacir, executive responsible for the Children’s Parliament in Morocco.
The Head of Programs at Plan International, Peter Kororma, welcomed participants and emphasized the meeting’s significance in addressing child protection challenges.
In her keynote address, Professor Banjellovn highlighted Morocco’s commitment to sharing best practices and collaborating with Sierra Leone on children’s rights, mental health, and empowerment. She advocated for the establishment of a Children’s Parliament in Sierra Leone.
Mrs. Kacir presented Morocco’s National Observation on the Rights of the Child, a framework aimed at promoting child participation and protecting children’s rights. She noted Morocco’s status as the first African country to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1993 and discussed the institutionalization of its Children’s Parliament, which includes 395 child representatives.
Laura Kororma outlined Sierra Leone’s recent policy efforts, including the Domestic Violence Act of 2007, the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act of 2024, and the Alternative Care Policy of 2014. She affirmed the government’s commitment to enhancing child protection mechanisms through collaboration with organizations like the Family Support Unit and UN agencies.
Elizabeth Mamusu Sleveng presented the Joining Forces for All Children Framework, focusing on ending violence against children, eradicating female genital mutilation (FGM), and increasing budgetary support for child welfare. She also called for the passage of the Child Rights Act (CRA) Bill.
Mrs. Boi Jonah Jalloh, Chairperson of the Child Rights Coalition, emphasized the coalition’s advocacy role and the need for localized engagement at district levels. She urged the urgent passage of the CRA Bill to ensure no child is left behind.
The meeting concluded with a Q&A session, allowing participants to discuss future collaboration and policy reforms to strengthen child welfare systems.
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