By: Saidu Jalloh, Reporter, D.S.
On June 9, 2025, the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA) in Sierra Leone hosted a pivotal meeting at the Plan International conference hall, uniting government officials, a Moroccan delegation, and child rights organizations to discuss collaborative efforts aimed at improving child welfare.
The Sierra Leonean delegation included Deputy Chief Director Charles Vandi, Director of Children’s Affairs Mrs. Joyce B. Kamara, and Assistant Director Laura Kororma. They were joined by key representatives from child protection organizations, such as Philipa Cride-Dole, President of the Children’s Forum Network (CFN), and Elizabeth Mamusu Sleveng, Advocacy Manager at World Vision.
The Moroccan delegation featured notable figures such as Hamza Chbihi, Counsellor at the Embassy of Morocco; Professor Ghizlane Banjellovn, Vice President of ONDE and a child psychiatry expert; and Mrs. Soukaina Kacir, executive responsible for the Children’s Parliament in Morocco.
Peter Kororma, Head of Programs at Plan International, welcomed participants and underscored the meeting’s importance in tackling child protection challenges. In her keynote address, Professor Banjellovn expressed Morocco’s commitment to sharing best practices on children’s rights, mental health, and empowerment, advocating for the establishment of a Children’s Parliament in Sierra Leone.
Mrs. Kacir presented Morocco’s National Observation on the Rights of the Child, a comprehensive framework designed to enhance child participation and protect rights. She highlighted Morocco’s pioneering role as the first African nation to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1993, discussing the successful institutionalization of its Children’s Parliament, which includes 395 child representatives.
Laura Kororma outlined Sierra Leone’s recent policy advancements, including the Domestic Violence Act of 2007, the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act of 2024, and the Alternative Care Policy of 2014. She reaffirmed the government’s dedication to strengthening child protection mechanisms through collaboration with the Family Support Unit and UN agencies.
Elizabeth Mamusu Sleveng introduced the Joining Forces for All Children Framework, emphasizing the need to end violence against children, eradicate female genital mutilation (FGM), and increase budgetary support for child welfare. She called for the urgent passage of the Child Rights Act (CRA) Bill.
Mrs. Boi Jonah Jalloh, Chairperson of the Child Rights Coalition, highlighted the coalition’s advocacy role and stressed the importance of localized engagement at district levels. She urged the swift passage of the CRA Bill to ensure that no child is left behind.
The meeting concluded with a Q&A session, fostering discussions about future collaborations and policy reforms to bolster child welfare systems in Sierra Leone.
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