The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, in collaboration with UN Women Sierra Leone and the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, held a two day Technical Consultative Meetings at the Atlantic Hall, Lumley, Freetown.
This collaborative effort convened key stakeholders from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) on the first day and representatives from Trade Unions and the Private Sector on the next day, November 29-30, 2023.
The pivotal focus was on incorporating gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment into the formulation of the New Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP) for 2024-2030.
These sessions aimed to review the Advanced Draft of the MTNDP 2024-2030, placing specific emphasis on the integration of gender and women’s issues into the national plan.
Charles B. Vandi, Deputy Chief Director of the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, underscored the commitment to amplifying the voices of women and children within the final plan. Reflecting on the accomplishments of the previous MTNDP 2019-2023, he highlighted strides in empowering women, children, and persons with disabilities. These included policy developments such as the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy 2020 and the enactment of bills like the Customary Land Rights Bill 2022.
Carol Hannon, Head of Development at the Embassy of Ireland, commended the collaborative effort, emphasizing a dedication to making the national plan transformative for gender equality.
Baindu Massaquoi from UN Women Sierra Leone stressed the global significance of achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the integral role of Sierra Leone in this global endeavor. Massaquoi highlighted the necessity of integrating gender equality commitments into national plans, urging for their prominence in the upcoming MTNDP 2024-2030.
Madam Kenyeh Barlay, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, expressed gratitude to UN Women for their support and emphasized the importance of these meetings in enriching the MTNDP. She urged stakeholders to focus on Strategic Objectives, key targets and policy areas outlined in the document for future policies and interventions.
Dr. Sheka Bangura, Director of Planning, Policy and Research at MoPED, facilitated both meetings, culminating in a call to action. Stakeholders were encouraged to contribute their expertise to enhance the document. The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development expressed gratitude for the support received and anticipated continued productive engagements in shaping the national plan into an inclusive and comprehensive strategy for Sierra Leone’s development.
