STATEMENT BY
HON. MADAM FRANCESS PIAGIE ALGHALI DEPUTY FOREIGN MINISTER OF THE REPUBLIC OF SIERRA LEONE
Mr. Chairman,
Excellencies,
Let me, at the outset, express our sincere congratulations on your election as Chair of the Third Committee for this Session and assure you of our fullest support and cooperation throughout your tenure.
My delegation is proud to align itself with the Statements delivered by Guinea Bissau on behalf of the African Group and the Representative from Iraq on behalf of the Group of 77 and China; and the Statement delivered by Egypt on behalf of the OIC. This unity of purpose strengthens our collective voice. We would, however, like to add a few comments in our national capacity.
I wish to express my delegation’s profound gratitude to the Secretary-General for his insightful reports on issues before the Committee for deliberations. We take note of the recommendations contained in the report.
1. Sierra Leone places high importance on the protection of human rights. We will continue to uphold our firm commitment to the safety and promotion of the rights, welfare and progressive development of all persons. However, we place special attention on the rights and welfare of women and children, ensuring their protection and advancement.
2. Sierra Leone’s unwavering commitment to achieving gender equality and women’s empowerment and parity is a cornerstone of our national agenda. We firmly believe that empowering women to make their own choices and actively participate in the economy can be a catalyst for stimulating inclusive growth and reducing poverty for all. This commitment is not just a priority, but a belief in the transformative power of gender equality. Sierra Leone therefore remains committed to delivering on the visionary agenda for gender equality and women’s empowerment adopted in Beijing 30 years ago.
3. Sierra Leone’s commitment to the protection of women’s rights remains unwavering and We have made significant strides in recent years in promoting women’s empowerment and protection, as well as in advancing the rights of various vulnerable groups within the country.
4. The enactment of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Law of 2022 was a significant milestone in women’s empowerment in Sierra Leone. This comprehensive legislation is designed to promote gender equality and make provision for a minimum of 30% representation for elective and appointive public Offices, make provision for equal opportunity for the training of employees, and for financial institutions to prescribe procedures for the improvement of women’s access to finance and for other related matters.
5. Additionally, the government has launched various programs and initiatives to enhance women’s economic empowerment, including facilitating access to microfinance loans and entrepreneurship training.
6. On the overall protection of human rights, Sierra Leone has made significant progress in addressing issues on sexual and gender-based violence and child marriage. Through the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024, accompanied by the National Strategy for the Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy and Child Marriage 2025-2030, the government has taken a proactive stance, to criminalize this harmful practice and establish support services for survivors.
7. Additionally, Sierra Leone has ratified international conventions and treaties that protect the rights of vulnerable groups, such as the Convention on the Rights of the Child and the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women as well as regional instruments such as the Protocol to the African Charter on Human and Peoples Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa, commonly referred to as the Maputo Protocol. This progress is an assurance of our unwavering commitment to human rights.
8. Youth Empowerment is also another area where Sierra Leone has made significant strides. The government has implemented programs to provide young people with access to education, vocational training, and employment opportunities. We have also established youth councils and forums to ensure that young people have a voice in decision-making processes that affect their lives.
9. Sierra Leone has also taken steps to protect the rule of law and ensure that all citizens have access to justice, and these measures continue to strengthen the judiciary and law enforcement agencies, implementing reforms to enhance the efficiency and transparency of the legal system. The Human Rights Commission and Ombudsperson offices have also benefited from notable upgrades designed to strengthen their ability to investigate complaints of human rights violations and provide redress to victims.
10. In terms of our responsibility to promote and advance the social and economic well-being of vulnerable persons, we have recently passed the Social Protection Act of 2025. This establishes the legal and institutional framework for the development, implementation, maintenance, facilitation, monitoring, and evaluation of social protection programs and to promote poverty reduction amongst other things.
11. Within the context of our recent history and commitment to human rights principles, Sierra Leone also believes that sexual violence poses a grave threat to the peace and sanity of our society. In this connection, thanks to the sustained political will and commitment of the President of the Republic, H.E. Julius Maada Bio, there are now more and strengthened mechanisms in place to ensure that victims receive justice by stamping out impunity and holding perpetrators accountable.
12. In terms of protecting the rights of children, Sierra Leone has made significant progress in addressing issues such as child labour, trafficking, and exploitation. The government has enacted laws to prohibit these practices and has established child protection units within the police force to investigate cases of abuse and exploitation. Sierra Leone has also implemented programs to ensure all children have access to education, healthcare, and social services.
13. Furthermore, Sierra Leone has also made efforts to protect the rights of persons with disabilities and made strides towards ensuring that they have equal access to opportunities and services. The government has enacted laws to prohibit discrimination against persons with disabilities and has implemented programs to promote their inclusion in society, including the establishment of the Disability Commission to advocate for the rights of persons with disabilities and ensure that their needs are met. Similarly, the Disability Act of 201I has gone through a national review process and has been laid in Parliament with amendments to strengthen its implementation.
Mr. Chairman,
14. Sierra Leone’s National Policy on Radical Inclusion in Schools is a landmark initiative that demonstrates the Government’s commitment to guaranteeing the education rights of all children across the country with a focus on; children with disabilities, children from rural and underserved areas, children from low-income families and pregnant girls and parent learners.
15. Access to education and healthcare is another area where Sierra Leone has made significant progress. The government has implemented innovative programs that harness digital health technologies to improve maternal and newborn survival, particularly in underserved communities. These initiatives enhance early detection, streamline referrals, and support real-time decision-making by frontline health workers.
16. Moreover, the introduction of the Pen Plus model of care has expanded access to quality services for chronic and severe noncommunicable diseases by applying a standardized protocol of care. These efforts aim to ensure equitable access to healthcare for all citizens, including vulnerable groups such as women, children, and persons with disabilities. Sierra Leone has also invested in infrastructure and healthcare facilities to ensure that essential services are available to every citizen.
17. Furthermore, cognizant of the role of women as agents of development and peace processes, as well as their significant contributions to conflict resolution, Sierra Leone prioritizes women as key partners in nation-building. We remain resolved on progressing with the effective implementation of the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda.
18. As a member of the Security Council, Sierra Leone reaffirms its commitment to the principles of Resolution 1325 and the broader Women Peace and Security agenda. We will continue to build partnerships and work collaboratively alongside all relevant partners on women`s advancement and empowerment issues. We will continue to work tirelessly for the complete emancipation of all women and girls, fully cognizant of the multiple intersecting forms of discrimination that affect them. We underscore that the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the African Union Agenda 2063 cannot be successfully implemented without upholding the principle of “no one left behind”.
Mr. Chair, Excellencies,
In this regard, I conclude by stressing that Sierra Leone will continue to promote women’s empowerment and protection, advancing the rights of vulnerable groups, upholding the rule of law, and ensuring access to education and healthcare for all citizens.
Thank you.