By Kadiatu A. Turay

In a bold step to bridge the gender gap in governance, the Women’s Forum, in collaboration with the She Leads program and supported by the African Women’s Development and Communication Network (FEMNET), convened a high-level strategic meeting in Freetown. The event aimed to chart a clear path for the inclusion of girls and young women (GYW) in Sierra Leone’s policy and national planning processes.

The meeting brought together civil society representatives, youth-led groups, government officials, community organizations, and international partners, emphasizing that the experiences and aspirations of girls and young women must actively influence national policies and programs, not merely be tokenized.

President of the Women’s Forum, Sally Adams, stressed that meaningful inclusion requires structural reforms, inclusion is not about putting a young woman on a panel for appearances, Adams said. It is about empowering girls and young women to shape decisions that affect their futures. They need access to quality education, mentorship, and leadership opportunities.

Adams called on policymakers and development partners to take deliberate action, warning that without institutional change, participation risks remaining superficial.

A key outcome of the meeting was the push to create safe and dedicated platforms for young women to contribute to decision-making without facing social stigma or intimidation. Louie Watkins Harris of the Child Rights Commission highlighted the importance of dismantling cultural and institutional barriers that limit girls’ voices.

We must ensure girls can participate confidently in policy dialogue, Harris said. Innovation and technology can also encourage girls to enter fields traditionally dominated by men, like science and technology.

Harris emphasized that while progress has been made in girls’ education, more must be done to translate knowledge and skills into leadership opportunities in politics, governance, and the private sector.

Civil society leaders, including Fatmata Kamara, coordinator of a youth-led advocacy group, highlighted the importance of grassroots engagement.

If communities do not value girls’ leadership, policies will have little impact, Kamara said. We need continuous engagement to challenge outdated gender norms.

Her organization runs leadership boot camps for rural girls, equipping them with public speaking, policy literacy, and confidence to participate in local governance.

Representatives from the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, led by Isata Koroma, reaffirmed the government’s dedication to gender-inclusive governance. The National Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy includes targets to increase young women’s representation in policymaking bodies.

Koroma also noted efforts to secure budget allocations for leadership training and mentorship programs targeting girls aged 15 to 25.

Private sector actors were encouraged to play an active role. David Conteh, CSR Manager at a leading telecom company, shared initiatives like internship programs prioritizing young women, particularly in STEM fields.

Empowering young women economically ensures they can participate meaningfully in national decision-making,” Conteh said. He added that bridging the digital divide through affordable internet and digital literacy programs is also essential.

FEMNET emphasized aligning Sierra Leone’s initiatives with global commitments, including the SDGs and African Union Agenda 2063. Amina Ahmed, FEMNET program officer, stated:

Sierra Leone can be a leader in West Africa by embedding gender equality in every stage of policy design. This is not just a women’s issue it is a development imperative.

Ahmed confirmed that FEMNET will continue providing technical support, capacity building, and advocacy networks to sustain progress.

Participants agreed to translate discussions into concrete actions, including, establishing youth policy councils with at least 50% female membership. Creating scholarship programs linked to public service internships.

Integrating gender studies into school curricula to build awareness early, expanding safe, child-friendly digital platforms for policy engagement, closing the meeting, Sally Adams expressed optimism:

We leave here not just inspired but determined. This is the beginning of a movement that will see Sierra Leone’s girls and young women take their rightful place in shaping our country’s destiny.

The forum concluded with a joint commitment from all stakeholders to track progress over the next 12 months, ensuring that the voices of girls and young women are heard and acted upon in Sierra Leone’s highest decision-making spaces.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday,18th August 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)