By Sallieu S. Kanu
Freetown, Sierra Leone — The Honourable Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi, on Monday officially welcomed the newly appointed Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) during a courtesy visit to the Ministry’s headquarters in Freetown. The meeting marked a renewed commitment to strengthening the longstanding partnership between the Ministry and UNFPA.
During the engagement, both parties emphasized the importance of deepening collaborative efforts to advance Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) and to bolster Sierra Leone’s national response to Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). They acknowledged the tangible progress achieved through joint initiatives and reaffirmed their shared dedication to promoting gender equality and empowering women and girls across the country.
The new UNFPA Representative expressed the agency’s unwavering support for Sierra Leone’s gender and reproductive health agenda, pledging continued technical and financial assistance. In response, Dr. Mahoi conveyed her gratitude for UNFPA’s enduring cooperation and reaffirmed the Ministry’s commitment to sustaining this vital partnership in pursuit of inclusive development and the protection of citizens’ rights and well-being.
This meeting signals a forward-looking approach to tackling gender-based challenges and enhancing reproductive health services nationwide.