By Joseph Momoh, Daily Scope Reporter
Freetown, Sierra Leone — August 26, 2025 — In a significant advancement for gender equality and food security, Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL), alongside the Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry, and Food Security (MAFS), has unveiled the 2024 Women’s Empowerment and Nutrition Survey (WENS) Report and its Anonymized Microdata.
The report offers an in-depth exploration of the critical intersection of gender, agriculture, and nutrition in Sierra Leone, shedding light on systemic barriers that hinder women’s full participation and leadership in the agricultural sector.
The launch event, held at New Sella Sport on King Harman Road, attracted a diverse audience, including senior government officials, representatives from UN agencies, civil society organizations, and development partners. Deputy Statistician-General Lansana Kpewolo Kanneh highlighted the report’s role in promoting evidence-based policymaking, stating, “This report links women’s roles in agriculture directly to household food security and nutrition, which are essential for achieving our Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP 2024–2030).”
Dr. Tenema Theresa Dick, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, delivered the keynote address, emphasizing the vital role women play in Sierra Leone’s agricultural economy, despite their marginalization. “Change starts from data—not just numbers, but the real stories of women’s resilience and struggle,” she asserted.
Key findings from the WENS 2024 report include:
- Significant participation of women in agriculture, yet limited decision-making power.
- Over half of the surveyed women reported minimal control over household finances.
- Persistent barriers to land ownership due to entrenched traditional systems.
- Notable gaps in leadership, financial inclusion, and nutritional autonomy.
Conducted under the 50×2030 Initiative, the WENS survey employed advanced metrics developed by the International Food Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) and FAO, including the Women’s Empowerment Metric and Minimum Dietary Diversity modules. Data collection was primarily carried out by female enumerators to ensure privacy and authenticity in responses.
The WENS 2024 Report and its anonymized microdata are now publicly available for policymakers, researchers, and development organizations. The Deputy Minister hailed the release as “a powerful tool to shape a future where Sierra Leonean women are not only feeding the nation but also leading it.”
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