By Amin Kef (Ranger)
Vice President of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, on Tuesday, 17 February 2026, met with the Regional Director of UN Women for West and Central Africa, Dr. Maxime Houinato, during the latter’s first official visit to the country in his current capacity.
The meeting provided an opportunity for both leaders to reconnect and reflect on their longstanding professional relationship, which dates back to their time serving together with the United Nations in Mali. Their engagement also focused on assessing regional progress and examining the socio-political challenges shaping West and Central Africa today.
Speaking after the meeting, Vice President Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh described the engagement as a meaningful exchange of ideas and experiences. He noted that it was particularly encouraging to hear Dr. Maxime Houinato recognize Sierra Leone as a model in advancing women’s empowerment and gender equality within the region.
Central to their discussions was the implementation and impact of Sierra Leone’s Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act. The landmark legislation mandates a minimum 30 percent quota for women in elective and appointive positions, a significant step toward addressing gender disparities in leadership and decision-making.
The Vice President highlighted the importance of ensuring that the provisions of the GEWE Act translate into tangible improvements in the lives of women and girls across the country. He referenced the upcoming national women’s dialogue series being organized by his Office in collaboration with the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs.
The dialogue is expected to assess the implementation of the GEWE Act and collaboratively identify concrete actions to strengthen its impact. According to the Vice President, the initiative will produce a practical roadmap aimed at ensuring that the lived experiences of women align with the aspirations and objectives of the legislation.
Dr. Maxime Houinato arrived in Sierra Leone on 16 February for a five-day official mission scheduled to run until 21 February 2026. The visit was aimed at strengthening high-level partnerships between UN Women, the Government of Sierra Leone and development partners to accelerate progress on gender equality and women’s empowerment.
During his stay, the UN Women Regional Director met with His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio, selected Cabinet Ministers, members of the Diplomatic Corps and key stakeholders in the women’s rights movement. He also engaged with Civil Society Organizations, women leaders and youth activists to gain firsthand insight into their experiences, challenges and aspirations.
The visit culminated in a series of discussions with policymakers and development partners in Freetown and across the districts, bringing together actors from multiple sectors to explore practical solutions for gender-responsive development.
“This mission reaffirms UN Women’s commitment to ensuring that all women and girls in Sierra Leone can live free from violence, lead in public life and thrive economically,” Dr. Maxime Houinato stated during his visit.
Dr. Maxime Houinato previously visited Sierra Leone about a decade ago in a different capacity before his appointment as Regional Director. His mission signaled renewed efforts to fast-track partnerships, consolidate gains made under the GEWE Act and further advance gender equality initiatives in Sierra Leone.
