By Sulaiman Jalloh

The Parliamentary Committee on Gender and Children’s Affairs, chaired by Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawallie of Bombali District, held a strategic engagement with the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs as part of its oversight mandate. The meeting focused on assessing the ministry’s operations and identifying challenges in service delivery across the country.

In her opening remarks, Hon. Tarawallie presented findings from the committee’s recent oversight visits to multiple facilities, including one-stop centers in Kailahun, Moyamba, Port Loko, Koinadugu, and the Western Area (Connaught/Kingtom Hospital), as well as Rainbow Centers in Kenema, Bo, Makeni, and Freetown (Cottage Hospital). She emphasized that the engagement was aimed at gathering first-hand information to improve service delivery, not to assign blame.

The committee’s findings highlighted several critical challenges, National Children’s Commission (NCC),  September 17, 2025 the NCC faces severe funding shortages, leaving basic operational needs unmet. Commissioners reportedly remain largely inactive without support from international partners.

Koinadugu & Moyamba One-stop Centers These centers face extreme logistical constraints, including insufficient transportation, fuel, and supplies. Family Support Unit officers often use personal funds to assist survivors of sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), while difficult terrain further hampers timely responses.

Kailahun One-stop Center: Performing relatively well due to strong support from Save the Children, collaboration with local chiefs, and engagement with the District Council Chairman, which ensures community participation in victim referrals.

Port Loko One-stop Center Operational effectiveness is hindered by political interference, affecting service delivery.Rainbow Centers: Provide counseling and referral services but lack the legal authority and enforcement power of one-stop centers.

Representing the ministry, Permanent Secretary Madam Aminata Sannoh welcomed the committee and highlighted the importance of parliamentary oversight in improving the welfare of women and children. She outlined the ministry’s mandate to protect the rights and dignity of women and children, promote equality, review policies and laws, and strengthen interventions in child welfare, women’s rights, and justice. Madam Sannoh also acknowledged the challenges raised, including logistical shortfalls, under-staffing, and financial limitations.

Committee members expressed concern over the deteriorating state of the National Children’s Commission and the lack of support for one-stop centers, warning that these weaknesses threaten Sierra Leone’s national SGBV response system.

“Budget constraints remain a major barrier, but decisive action is needed to strengthen these institutions and ensure children and survivors of gender-based violence are protected,” the MPs urged.

The committee resolved to advocate for the sustenance of the Children’s Commission and enhanced support for one-stop centers as Parliament resumes budget deliberations in October, emphasizing that effective collaboration between the ministry and lawmakers is critical to safeguarding the nation’s most vulnerable.

Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Monday, 22nd September, 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)