In 2000 and 2008 the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) passed Resolutions 1325 and 1820 respectively. These resolutions recognized the horrifying impact of armed conflict on women and girls, and the potential for female contribution to the prevention, resolution and transformation of such conflicts around the globe. The resolutions demanded that member states undertake effective action to promote women’s rights and end impunity in this regard. After extensive research and assistance from international and domestic civil society, the Government of Sierra Leone adopted the Sierra Leone National Action Plan (SiLNAP) to better implement the two resolutions and improve the domestic status of women.
Drafting of the SiLNAP began in February 2008 with a UN sponsored “High Level Policy Dialogue” on the implementation of UNSCR 1325 in Africa, and ended with a showcasing of the SiLNAP in March 2010 during the Fifty-Eighth Session of the UN Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). As part of the process, the Gender Division of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs (MSWGCA) chaired a joint Government -- Civil Society Task Force which surveyed the initial fragmented attempts to implement UNSCR 1325. The survey showed that approximately half of civil society organizations knew of the resolution and undertook means to address it. About two-thirds of the organizations worked with victims of SBGV and investigated the impact of armed conflict on women. Significantly, 95 percent of the 697 organizations surveyed indicated their willingness to align their activities with UNSCR 1325. However, the survey also reported a general lack of human, technical and financial capacity, as well as insufficient cooperation from the communities, difficulty in accessing remote areas, cultural barriers and inadequate coordination among partner organizations.
The SiLNAP seeks to address these inefficiencies to create a “Sierra Leone that reinforces and fosters its commitments for women and girls to realize the benefits of the principles and provisions of UNSCRs 1325 and 1820.” The plan consists of a five year (2010 - 2014) implementation matrix with five pillars:
Pillar 1 calls for the prevention of conflict including violence against women and children (SGBV). It seeks to reduce the rate of SGBV by 50% and includes four output objectives. The first, inducing commitment for the implementation of UNSCRs 1325 and 1820 by government ministries, departments and agencies (MDA), will be achieved by disseminating the SiLNAP to local authorities and ensuring that constitutional reforms include gender equality. Success will be measured by the number of government actions taken to mainstream the resolutions and an increase in the level of government funds available for gender equality programs. The second, creating policy mechanisms and procedures at the community level, will be achieved by simplifying/translating the resolutions into local languages, advocating for laws prohibiting violence against women, and strengthening women’s networks at all levels. Success will be measured by the number of local policies created in compliance with 1325 and 1820, the number of village-level structures formed to address SGBV related abuses, and the number of local bylaws passed in support of their prevention. The third, improving the legal environment for the protection of women’s rights and security, will be achieved by collecting information on the enforcement of statutory and customary laws for the prevention of SGBV, lobbying parliament for the quick enactment of the Sexual Offenses and Matrimonial Causes Bills, holding sensitization workshops with various ministries and members of parliament, and disseminating texts on Sierra Leone’s international and regional commitments to gender equality. Success will be measured by the number of relevant laws and instruments ratified (specifically parliamentary passage of the Sexual Offenses and Matrimonial Causes Bill and ratification of the AU Women’s Protocol). The fourth, strengthening gender responsive behavior for the prevention of violence against women, will be achieved by conducting Training of Trainers sessions on gender equality, gender mainstreaming and gender analysis concepts and techniques for leaders on the national and local levels; developing a behavioral change message to be disseminated through cultural activities, TV, radio and schools in formal and informal settings; and organizing an Excellence Award in Gender for decision makers at all levels. Success will be measured by the extent of gender sensitivity and mainstreaming developed in the government and rural communities.
Pillar 2 requires the protection and empowerment of victims/vulnerable persons. It seeks to increase by 50% the number of women who feel better protected from SGBV in their communities and reduce violence by 30% by means of empowerment and support. It has three output objectives. The first, increasing the reporting of SGBV cases, will be achieved by alliance building between law enforcement agencies and the courts, court monitoring and reporting, dialogue with parents and community leaders on women’s rights, and strengthening existing community structures to seek redress against SGBV. Success will be measured by the percentage increase in the number of cases reported and the information dissemination systems developed. The second, providing health, economic and legal support to victims and vulnerable persons, will be achieved by equipping health care facilities to deal with SGBV, ensuring that victims of SGBV have access to medical reports, developing incentives to supply legal services to women and girls, providing access to micro-finance facilities, and training in specialized skills for older girls as well as role-modeling/mentoring for school-aged girls. Success will be measured by the percentage increase in the number of victims receiving treatment, economic support and access to legal aid. The third, increased government benefits for women and girls in vulnerable situations, will be achieved by lobbying for further government resources for women’s economic empowerment in key MDAs (e.g. Agriculture) and engaging with victims to accept the benefits.
Pillar 3 necessitates the prosecution and punishment of perpetrators, safeguarding of female human rights (during and post conflict) and rehabilitation of victims/survivors of SGBV and its perpetrators. It seeks to successfully prosecute 75% of reported cases and increase by 50% the number of victims receiving reparations. It includes three output objectives. The first, advocating the government to fully implement the recommendations of the TRC Report on Women, will be achieved by networking with the Human Rights Commission (HRCSL), the National Commission on Gender Based Violence (NaC-GBV), Law Officers Department, and the JSCO; translating relevant TRC recommendations for dissemination into local communities; and engaging with the NaC-GBV to ensure adequate reparations for victims. Success will be measured by the number of victims receiving support. The second, strengthening mechanisms in the judicial sector to prevent and respond to sexual violence, will be achieved by means of capacity building/training for investigators, prosecutors, magistrates and judges; review of sentencing policies for SGBV offenses; increasing victims and witness protection programs; addressing the risk of re-offending; and court monitoring/reporting. Success will be measured by the number of magistrates, lawyers and judges addressing SGBV cases. The third, increased reporting of SGBV at national and community levels, will be achieved by expediting hearing and disposal of SGBV cases and sensitizing community members and service providers on implementation of the plan, including enforcement and compliance. Success will be measured by an increase in the number of cases reported to law enforcement agencies.
Pillar 4 entails the participation and representation of women in government and security services. It seeks to increase by 40% the representation of women in political and public offices and includes two output objectives. The first, lobbying for the increased representation of women in decision making organs, including a minimum 30% quota for political representation, will be achieved by intensified lobbying for a gender inclusive constitution; producing public lectures, symposiums and study exchanges; networking among institutions internal and external to Sierra Leone; training women at the community level to engage their representatives; enhancing women activists engagement of the APRM/NEPAD process for joint action for gender equality; and working with Gender Focal Points in MDAs. Success will be measured by the number of advocacy sessions conducted for relevant parties and legislative measures ensuring gender equality or a minimum of 30% female representation in all elected and appointed positions. The second, increased recruitment and retention of women in law enforcement, justice and security institutions, will be achieved by mapping of women in the security sector institutions (SSI); review of SSI recruitment, employment and promotion policies; development of affirmative action mechanisms in MDAs; and providing training for women on mediation, negotiation and gender mainstreaming and recommending their service at regional and international levels. Success will be measured by the number of women in decision making positions in SSIs and the number of training sessions held in the MSWGCA, FSU, RSLAF.
Pillar 5 calls for the promotion and coordination of the implementation process including resource mobilization, and monitoring/evaluation (M&E) of the SiLNAP. It has three output objectives. The first, strengthening the institutional mechanisms, management and monitoring capacity of the Government -- Civil Society Task Force, will be achieved by providing capacity building for key stakeholders in project development, management, monitoring and evaluation; intensified advocacy for a gender inclusive constitution; study exchanges and networking inside and out of Sierra Leone. Success will be measured by the required institutional mechanisms for effective monitoring in place, and the number of capacity building training sessions conducted on M&E. The second, securing adequate funding from the government and donors, will be achieved by developing a fund raising strategy for the NAP and development drive. Success will be measured by the percentage of secured funding produced for implementation of the plan. The third, engaging nationally, regionally and internationally for improved coordination and collaboration, will be achieved by building an alliance of gender friendly men and women on all levels with subregional, regional and bilateral agencies; organizing seminars and disseminating reports; as well as organizing annual roundtable conferences. Success will be measured by the number of coordination and consultative sessions held at all levels.
The projected cost of the SiLNAP is USD $21,301,314. The government recognizes its primary responsibility in providing funding for the plan; however, other sources of revenue will be required as well. Mobilizing resources from domestic households is critical for ownership and sustainability of the project. Additionally, MSWGCA will take the leading role in fundraising, capitalizing on its contacts with civil society, faith-based organizations, the private sector, academia and additional government agencies. MSWGCA will also bring together development partners from the World Bank, AfDB, IFAD, EC, DFID, UN agencies, JICA, the Chinese government and other nontraditional partners.
The MSWGCA will steer the overall M&E process. The Ministry of Finance and Economic Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ministry of Defense, Ministry of International Affairs, Local Government and Rural Development, NaCSA, FSUs/SLP, HRCSL, the Judiciary and the NaC-GBV will contribute to a core technical group (CTG) to provide support to the National Steering Committee (NSC) by gathering and analyzing national data. The NCS will review progress on the NAP’s implementation, make recommendations to enhance its success, and update the government, UN and donor community. The Regional Gender Office will monitor implementation on the regional level, collaborating with the regional judiciary system, FSU/SLP, the Provincial Secretary’s Office, Regional Minister’s Office and NGOs. A Regional Steering Committee (RSC) will collect and analyze data and prepare reports for the NSC. Local Councils will chair District Steering Committees (DSC), supported by the District Gender Offices. They will provide reports for the RSC and NSC and coordinate efforts on the community level. Councillors, Chiefdom Police, village leaders, and community women’s organizations will gather data for the DSC. Ward committees can also coordinate community level efforts. Information shall flow vertically and horizontally between the various steering committees as well as the UN system and other donor agencies, enabling re-planning when necessary. Monitoring will depend on routine data collection by the varying agencies as well as the development of a data base for data storage. The total budget for implementing the M&E plan is USD $1,625,750.
Throughout the NAP, the women of Sierra Leone are called upon to take ownership of the process, as they are the focal point of the initiative. In working with the SiLNAP, they will serve as an important reminder that “women are not only victims of violence, but they are also a powerful force towards peace building and decision making on Peace and Security issues.”
