A workshop held in Freetown, Sierra Leone, on July 27, 2026, aimed to strengthen national efforts to eliminate harmful practices, specifically Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. Sierra Leone was selected to join the second cohort of African Union (AU) member states implementing a continental framework designed for this purpose. The AU Accountability Framework provides a structured, data-driven mechanism to help Sierra Leone fulfill its continental obligations under SDG Target 5.3 and Agenda 2063. Mr. Kunle Adeniyi, UNFPA Country Representative, stated, "The AU Accountability Framework provides us with a structured mechanism to not only measure progress but also to strengthen national accountability in ending harmful practices. What is critical now is how we operationalize this framework to deliver real results for women and girls in Sierra Leone."
Strengthening Accountability Mechanisms
The initiative represents a milestone in reinforcing national monitoring, reporting, and accountability mechanisms aimed at eliminating Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and Child, Early, and Forced Marriage (CEFM). Participants at the Freetown workshop engaged in group working sessions designed to operationalize the framework. During these sessions, attendees focused on completing the African Union (AU) Accountability Framework reporting template. This practical exercise was key for drafting Sierra Leone’s country-specific operationalization plan. The plan is intended to translate the continental framework into actionable steps tailored to the national context, ensuring that commitments made at the continental level are integrated into local strategies for combating harmful practices.
Context and Challenges
The initiative is organized under the Iceland-funded project, Accelerating Progress Towards the Elimination of FGM in Sierra Leone. Despite progress, national data indicates that critical gaps remain in the legal prohibition and enforcement of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM). The National Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) reported a decline in FGM prevalence among women aged 15–49, from 90% in 2013 to 83% in 2019. In efforts to address harmful practices, the Government of Sierra Leone has passed landmark legislation, including the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. These actions contribute to the country's broader goal of achieving Sustainable Development Goal 5.3, which aims to end all harmful practices by 2030.
Voices from the Workshop
A two-day consultative workshop was convened by UNFPA in partnership with the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs. During the workshop, stakeholders worked to align African Union (AU) reporting indicators directly with key national frameworks. These national frameworks included both the National Strategy for the Reduction of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and the National Strategy for the Reduction of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). The alignment process aimed to integrate continental accountability measures into existing national efforts to combat harmful practices within Sierra Leone. This integration is key for ensuring that the country’s commitments are systematically tracked and reported.
Partnership for Progress
The collaborative efforts are supported by the Government of Iceland, a key partner in the Accelerating Progress Towards the Elimination of FGM in Sierra Leone project. UNFPA, working with the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, facilitates these initiatives. The partnership aims to strengthen national mechanisms for monitoring and reporting on the elimination of harmful practices, integrating continental frameworks into local strategies.