By Zacharia Jalloh, Ministry of Information and Civic Education
Speaking at the just-concluded Civic Day Series in Bo District, on 14th October 2025, the Deputy Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs Hindowa Buakai Bindi outlined a series of key achievements aimed at advancing the rights of women and children in the country.
According to the Deputy Minister, President Bio’s administration has a strong record of promoting women’s empowerment. He pointed to several major milestones, including the passing of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act and the approval of a new national Gender Policy.
To make these policies a reality, Hindowa Bindi announced to the audience that the government has also established gender desks in all Ministries, Departments, and Agencies (MDAs). “This is to ensure women participate in the decision-making process and to specifically protect and promote women’s affairs in the office” Bindi stated.
In a historic move, the country also saw the appointment of its first-ever female army commander
Lieutenant Colonel Alice Koria Sesay, an example of the height women can attain under these progressive gender policies and legislations.
The progress isn’t limited to women’s rights. Deputy Minister Bindi also emphasized the government’s focus on children, highlighting the recent passage of the Child Rights Act 2024. Alongside this, a new Alternative Care Policy has been introduced. This policy will replace traditional orphanages with temporary care centers, with the goal of reintegrating children back into their families and communities within six months.
These combined efforts signal a significant shift towards greater equality and protection for women and children across Sierra Leone.
