The 50/50 Group, in partnership with Green Scenery, the Women’s Network for Environmental Sustainability (WoNES) and the Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD), on Wednesday 5 August 2026, convened a National Stakeholders’ Policy Dialogue on Women’s Land Rights, Peace and Inclusive Governance under the “Uman, Land En Kol At” Project, implemented with support from Christian Aid through the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (UNPBF), bringing together women representatives from Kono, Kailahun, Port Loko and Tonkolili districts, policymakers, Government institutions, traditional authorities, development partners and Civil Society Organisations to chart a way forward for securing women’s land rights and strengthening inclusive land governance in Sierra Leone.
Held under the theme, “Securing Women’s Land Rights, Promoting Peace, Advancing Inclusive Governance,” the dialogue took place at the New Brookfields Hotel in Freetown. Discussions centred on the persistent barriers preventing women from accessing, owning and controlling land despite a series of progressive legal reforms, with participants calling for stronger implementation of existing laws, greater institutional accountability and closer collaboration among key stakeholders.
Chairing the dialogue, governance expert and development practitioner, Aminata Samuella Ruth Kelly Lamin, said Sierra Leone has made notable progress in reforming its legal and policy framework on land governance but warned that many women continue to be denied the rights guaranteed under the law. She pointed to reforms including the Customary Land Rights Act 2022, the National Land Commission Act 2022, the National Land Policy 2015 and the Devolution of Estates Act 2007, describing them as important milestones in advancing gender equality.
She, however, observed that implementation remains the country’s greatest challenge, with many women still facing discrimination in accessing, owning and controlling land. Aminata Samuella Ruth Kelly Lamin urged stakeholders to examine why those legal protections have not translated into meaningful change and called for stronger enforcement, greater institutional commitment and practical solutions capable of improving women’s participation in land governance.
Delivering a statement on behalf of the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi, a representative of the Ministry reaffirmed Government’s commitment to advancing women’s rights through legislative and policy reforms. The statement highlighted the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2022, the Customary Land Rights Act 2022 and the National Land Commission Act 2022 as major achievements that have strengthened legal protection for women.
Despite those gains, it was underscored how the Minister acknowledged that many women continue to be denied inheritance, evicted from family land and excluded from ownership because of discriminatory customary practices. She stressed that passing laws alone is insufficient without effective implementation, stronger institutions and sustained public awareness.
The statement further described the ongoing constitutional review process as an opportunity to eliminate discriminatory provisions, particularly Section 27(4)(d) of the 1991 Constitution, which excludes matters relating to personal law from constitutional protection against discrimination. The Minister called for increased public education on land rights, stronger enforcement mechanisms and continued support for women, especially widows and women with disabilities, to claim the rights guaranteed under the law.
Representing the Minister of Lands, Housing and Country Planning, Buawah Jobo Samba, Director of GIS and Remote Sensing, said the Ministry has prioritized reforms aimed at creating a fair, transparent and inclusive land administration system. He noted that while challenges affecting women’s access to land persist, Government has undertaken significant policy, legislative and institutional reforms to address them.
Buawah Jobo Samba highlighted the National Land Policy 2015, which promotes equal access to land regardless of gender and supports joint ownership and registration of family land by married couples. He said the subsequent enactment of the Customary Land Rights Act 2022 and the National Land Commission Act 2022 has further strengthened the legal framework governing land administration.
The Director disclosed how the Ministry is developing regulations and other supporting instruments required to fully implement the two Acts while expanding systematic land registration and other reforms aimed at improving land governance across the country. He encouraged participants to contribute practical recommendations that would strengthen ongoing reforms and improve women’s access to land.
Speaking on behalf of the organizers, Prof. Aisha Fofana Ibrahim, Programmes Director of the 50/50 Group Sierra Leone, described the dialogue as a key component of the Uman, Land En Kol At Project, implemented with support from Christian Aid through the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund. She said the initiative seeks to strengthen women’s participation in land governance, dismantle structural inequalities and promote peaceful conflict resolution through inclusive dialogue.
Prof. Aisha Fofana Ibrahim argued that sustainable peace and national development cannot be achieved while women remain excluded from land ownership and decision making. She said the project is empowering women with knowledge of their legal rights, increasing their participation in land administration and fostering collaboration among Government institutions, traditional authorities and Civil Society Organisations.
Also addressing the gathering, a representative of Christian Aid said Sierra Leone has made encouraging progress in establishing laws that protect women’s land rights but cautioned that legislation must be translated into practical action. The representative noted that secure access to land enables women to improve agricultural productivity, strengthen household incomes and contribute more effectively to national development.
The representative added that communities become more stable and prosperous when women participate meaningfully in land governance and decision making. Christian Aid reaffirmed its commitment to supporting initiatives that promote justice, equality and peaceful management of land resources while commending the collaboration among Government, Civil Society Organisations and development partners under the project.
Throughout the dialogue, participants repeatedly emphasized that the country’s legal reforms have laid a solid foundation for gender equality in land governance but warned that the benefits will remain limited without effective enforcement, stronger institutions and greater public awareness.
The forum concluded with a shared commitment to strengthen partnerships, amplify community voices and advance policy recommendations that will ensure women across Sierra Leone enjoy equal rights to access, own and control land as a foundation for inclusive governance, sustainable development and lasting peace.
