Displaying 45351 - 45375 of 58160 recommendations found
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State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:SloveniaSloveniaRegional groupEEGPolitical groupEUIssue:
- Early marriage
- Harmful practices based on cultural / traditional values
- Forced marriage
- Female genital mutilation / cutting
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Explicitly prohibit all harmful practices against women of all ages, including female genital mutilation, child, early and forced marriage and practices inflicted on elderly women in relation to allegations of witchcraft, and take all necessary measures to enforce the prohibition.ExplanationNoted. We continue to reaffirm our commitment to improve human rights. However, we will continue to consult local stakeholders on a clear and definitive policy regarding harmful cultural practices such as female genital mutilation.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 39) Some of the recommendations by CRC, which are accepted include, … the criminalisation of FGM.
Para 87) In December 2018, the National Strategy for the Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy and Child Marriage was officially launched by the GoSL. Full implementation of this Strategy will be followed by Regional launches.
Para 118) Some violations have always been inherent within the structures of the society for decades, predicated upon dubious traditional practices and beliefs. FGM, as a harmful practice on the girl child, is difficult to eliminate or legislate out of existence because of the traditional and cultural belief systems.
UN Compilation:
Para 20) The United Nations country team noted that traditional harmful practices, such as female genital mutilation, remained prevalent in Sierra Leone. While noting successful efforts to include practitioners of female genital mutilation in the fight against such mutilation, the Committee on the Rights of the Child was seriously concerned that female genital mutilation was still not prohibited in law for children.
Para 21) The United Nations country team regretted that, despite measures taken, secret societies continued to practise female genital mutilation, including on underage girls. It noted that in 2019, following reports of misuse of secret societies, the Minister of Local Government and Rural Development had banned the activities of secret societies.
Para 57) The CRC was concerned that, although the minimum age for marriage was set at 18 years, the Registration of Customary Marriage and Divorce Act, 2009 allowed for exceptions, and child marriage, especially of girls, remained highly prevalent in Sierra Leone.
Para 58) The United Nations country team welcomed the approval of the National Strategy for the Reduction of Adolescent Pregnancy and Child Marriage (2018–2022) …
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 32) European Centre for Law and Justice (ECLJ) was alarmed that, despite efforts deployed by the Government, Sierra Leone still had one of the highest rates of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) in the word, with an estimated 90% of women and girls having suffered mutilation. Plan International (PI) regretted the lack of legislation criminalizing FGM. According to JS2, CUMG-SL and ECLJ, Sierra Leone continued to face challenges in combating FGM because it is rooted in cultural and traditional practices. ECLJ emphasized the negative role of the Bondo society who encouraged and carried out FGM ceremonies, and noted that, while initiations are illegal, there was still not a law against the pervasive practice of FGM itself in force.
Para 67) JS3 and PIwere concerned at the high prevalence of child marriage in Sierra Leone. JS3 noted the low rate of birth registration, which poses a threat to the protection of children regarding early marriage and harmful practices.
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State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:IrelandIrelandRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupEUIssue:
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
- Women's and / or girls' rights
Type:QuestionSession:11th session, May 2011Status:Not Followed up with a RecommendationContents:Will the Government of Sierra Leone introduce free medical examinations for victims and streamlined legal procedures in GBV cases to reduce barriers to justice for victims? -
State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Republic of CongoRepublic of CongoRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOIFIssue:
- Gender equality
- Women's participation
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:AcceptedContents:Implement a more inclusive governance system that promotes further representation of women into the national institutions.ExplanationWe continue to view the empowerment of women and increased participation as inviolable to the democratic and socio-economic development of our country. -
State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- Gender equality
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
- Women's participation
Type:Review DocumentationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:Reference AddressedContents:According to the Commission, women participation in governance and public offices still remains a challenge as the Government is yet to enact the Gender Equality Bill. The Commission recommended that the Government continue its effort to address violence against women and speedily enact the Gender Equality Bill. [Para 6] -
State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- Discrimination based on sexual orientation
- Discrimination based on gender identity
- Violence on the basis of sexual orientation
- Violence on the basis of gender identity
Type:Review DocumentationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:Reference AddressedContents:AI stated that in Sierra Leone the law criminalizes same sex relationships between consenting adults, and recommended amending the Constitution to prohibit discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation or gender identity; and ensuring that crimes motivated by any form of discrimination, including sexual orientation or gender identity, are investigated and perpetrators brought to justice. [Para 36] -
State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:UN CompilationIssue:
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
- Sexual violence
- Women's and / or girls' rights
Type:Review DocumentationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:NeglectedContents:... CEDAW requested that Sierra Leone allocate sufficient resources to implement the Commission's recommendations, and urged it to ensure that all potential beneficiaries of war reparation, in particular widows and women victims of conflict-related sexual violence, were adequately compensated without further delay ... [Para 47] -
State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:SwitzerlandSwitzerlandRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupOIFIssue:
- Domestic violence
Type:RecommendationSession:11th session, May 2011Status:AcceptedContents:Raise awareness by the poor and marginalized population of the legal provisions of the Domestic Violence Act; open investigations into all complaints lodged relating to domestic violence; and prosecute all cases and provide victims to appropriate services, especially the possibility to benefit from a free medical report and legal aid.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 11) A lot of advancements were made in reforming laws and safeguarding the rights of the people. Several legislations were also promulgated during that period such as the Persons with Disability Act 2011, Right to Access to Information Act 2013 and the Sexual Offences Act 2012 ... and the Customary Marriage Act 2007, which is in parts contradictory with regards to the age limit and the principle of consent
Para 21) ... In 2012 a National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence and the National Referral Protocol on Gender-Based Violence was developed and launched. The President went a step further on the 8th March 2013, by declaring "Violence against women is violence against the State".
Para 23) ... The MOD/RSLAF has also set up a gender-based violence (GBV) desk in the office of the directorate of Gender and Equal Opportunity and a welfare office at HQ Joint Force Command to address GBV related issues. Sierra Leone thanks its development partners, both international and national, for ensuring the best practices in the MOD/RSLAF ...
Para 35) ... The Family Support Unit (FSU) deals with sexual and gender-based violence committed against women and children. The Moyamba Division has been the pilot division for the FSU, sponsored by the former Justice Sector Development Project (JSDP). All divisions now have a FSU. An MOU was signed with chiefs and the Family Support Unit (FSU) to report and assist carers of child abuse victims ...
Para 48) ... Additionally, the MSWGCA developed and launched the National Action Plan on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and the National Referral Protocol on Gender-Based Violence in 2012. The implementation of the National Referral Protocol on GBV continues all across the country.
Para 53) ... The MSWGCA has during the period under review, collaborated with the International Rescue Committee, UNDP, and AMNET-SL in providing trainings and awareness-raising drives on sexual gender-based violence (SGBV) for the law enforcement agencies and other stakeholders including the Local Councils and other service providers for SGBV cases. Gender Durbars have also been conducted with brigades, battalions, units and other departments across the RSLAF to discuss gender issues, including women%u2019s empowerment, and to build their capacity to address GBV issues. GBV and Teenage Pregnancy Workshops have been conducted in military barracks and communities. The Directorate of Gender and Equal Opportunity is also networking with gender stakeholders, institutions and civil society groups to share experience, best practices and lessons learnt, in order to build capacity to deal with GBV issues within the Force.
Para 81) In addition to FHC, free malaria treatment for all age groups is provided in all government healthcare facilities, including ... for survivors of gender-based violence (GBV).
UN Compilation:
Para 11) ... The Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women and the Committee against Torture welcomed the adoption in 2012 of the National Referral Protocol on Gender-based Violence and the National Plan of Action on Gender-based Violence.
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 21) AI noted that Sierra Leone has taken initiatives to improve its human rights framework, such as enactment of the Sexual Offences Act 2012 ...
Para 43) JS2 noted that in the first cycle report, several recommendations were presented to tackle gender based violence and sexual abuse of women and children in Sierra Leone. Though Sierra Leone has made some progress in this area by passing the Sexual Offences Act in 2012 and the three gender Acts in 2007, lack of effective implementation and enforcement of these laws continue to make particularly girls and women vulnerable to such crimes ... -
State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:EswatiniEswatiniRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUCommonwealthIssue:
- HIV and AIDS
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:AcceptedContents:Eliminate discrimination against children in the most vulnerable situations, such as girls, children with disabilities, children living with HIV/AIDS, children orphaned as a result of Ebola and children in rural settings.
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State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:UN CompilationIssue:
- Female genital mutilation / cutting
Type:Review DocumentationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:Reference AddressedContents:The United Nations country team recommended increasing efforts to fully eliminate female genital mutilation by enacting and enforcing legislation that prohibited that practice in all its forms, and carrying out awareness-raising campaigns and a national debate on the harmful effects of the practice on girls, women and wider society. The CRC urged Sierra Leone to continue to fight, with the assistance of former female practitioners of female genital mutilation, to eradicate the practice of female genital mutilation, and accelerate efforts and programmes to sensitize and assist practitioners of female genital mutilation to find alternative sources of income and encourage them to abandon the practice. [Para 22]
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State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- Maternal health / morbidity / mortality
- Marginalized groups of women
- Right to health
Type:Review DocumentationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:Not Followed up with a RecommendationContents:JS3 recommended that Sierra Leone, in line with the United Nations Rules for the Treatment of Women Prisoners and Non-custodial Measures for Women Offenders (Bangkok Rules), develop gender-specific alternatives to custodial measures. JS1, JS4 and JS8 recommended increasing efforts to improve detention conditions, including by allocating adequate resources to ensure compliance with the Nelson Mandela Rules; and reducing overcrowding in prisons by releasing pregnant women, women with children, elderly prisoners and those led in pre-trial detention for minor offences. The organizations also recommended providing for women’s specific physical and mental health needs, including gynaecological care; ensuring that women in prison can work and actively participate in their reintegration, and providing them with appropriate educational and training programmes to improve their employment prospects. [Para 30]
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State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- Gender equality
- Women's participation
Type:Review DocumentationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:Reference AddressedContents:CC recommended the adoption of the Gender Equality Bill and reducing the candidate registration fees to support greater gender equality in politics. It also encouraged political parties to strengthen internal processes to nominate women for office. CUMG-SL recommended to scale up the 30% quota implementation of women inclusion in decision making. [Para 63]
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State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:National ReportIssue:
- Harmful practices based on cultural / traditional values
Type:Review DocumentationSession:11th session, May 2011Status:N/AContents:"Sex/gender discrimination founded on the cultural beliefs and traditional practices of some of the ethnic groups persist. In Paramount Chieftaincy, for example, women cannot become Paramount Chiefs on account of their sex, as the institution is anchored in male only secret societies. Government views these practices as untenable, considering the
important role of the institution in governance and the maintenance of good order in society and is committed to their gradual phasing out. [Para 56]" -
State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:UN CompilationIssue:
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
Type:Review DocumentationSession:11th session, May 2011Status:Reference AddressedContents:"The High Commissioner recommended adoption of a national strategy for the elimination of violence against women. [Para 26]" -
State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- Early marriage
Type:Review DocumentationSession:11th session, May 2011Status:NeglectedContents:"HRCSL, while noting the law which criminalized early marriage for persons below the age of 18 years, stated that the practice was still prevalent, particularly in rural areas, and called on the Government to take more stringent actions against perpetrators of such acts. [Para 45]" -
State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:NorwayNorwayRegional groupWEOGIssue:
- Criminal laws on same-sex sexual practices
Type:RecommendationSession:11th session, May 2011Status:RejectedContents:Repeal all provisions which may be applied to criminalize sexual activity between consenting adults.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 44) The GOSL maintains that the Constitution affords fundamental guarantees for all whilst acknowledging that there are certain groups that are vulnerable. Sierra Leone has carefully prioritized the groups, especially those within the treaties it has already signed or ratified. Sierra Leone therefore continues to note recommendations. -
State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:AustraliaAustraliaRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupPIFCommonwealthIssue:
- Female genital mutilation / cutting
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Implement legislation that prohibits female genital mutilation practices; protect and assist survivors; and support educational outreach to relevant communities on the harms of female genital mutilation.
ExplanationNoted. Sierra Leone has in place several measures to address the human rights concerns of female genital mutilation (FGM). Despite those measures, the right to associate and freedom of assembly conflict with some of the recommendations that call for a complete ban on FGM.
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State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:GabonGabonRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICOIFIssue:
- Female genital mutilation / cutting
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Adopt a law specifically prohibiting Female Genital Mutilation.
ExplanationNoted. Sierra Leone has in place several measures to address the human rights concerns of female genital mutilation (FGM). Despite those measures, the right to associate and freedom of assembly conflict with some of the recommendations that call for a complete ban on FGM.
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State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:SwedenSwedenRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupEUIssue:
- Female genital mutilation / cutting
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Enact and enforce a comprehensive national law that prohibits the practice of female genital mutilation and support educational outreach, including to local paramount chiefs, on the harms of female genital mutilation.
ExplanationNoted. Sierra Leone has in place several measures to address the human rights concerns of female genital mutilation (FGM). Despite those measures, the right to associate and freedom of assembly conflict with some of the recommendations that call for a complete ban on FGM.
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State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:CanadaCanadaRegional groupWEOGPolitical groupOASOIFCommonwealthIssue:
- Discrimination based on sexual orientation
- Discrimination based on gender identity
- Criminal laws on same-sex sexual practices
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:AcceptedContents:Decriminalize same-sex sexual relations between consenting adults by repealing sections 61 and 62 of the Offences Against the Persons Act 1861, and pass legislation to prohibit discrimination based on sexual orientation or gender identity.
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State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Stakeholder SummaryIssue:
- Sexual harassment
Type:Review DocumentationSession:11th session, May 2011Status:NeglectedContents:JS1 noted that sexual harassment in the workplace was an issue of concern, particularly as complainants were unable to pursue their claims in court in the absence of the legal prohibition of sexual harassment. [Para 50] -
State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:CubaCubaRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASOEIACSIssue:
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
- Sexual violence
- Empowerment of women
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:AcceptedContents:Maintain the national efforts deployed in the fight against sexual and gender violence, with the objective to empower women.
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State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:CameroonCameroonRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICOIFCommonwealthIssue:
- Empowerment of women
- Women's participation
Type:RecommendationSession:38th Session, May 2021Status:AcceptedContents:Encourage the empowerment and participation of women in political life.
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State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:Burkina FasoBurkina FasoRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICOIFIssue:
- International human rights instruments
- Gender equality
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:AcceptedContents:Consider the ratification of the OP-CEDAW ...ExplanationWe intend to continue to cooperate with all the Human Rights Council mechanisms and will take steps during the implementation period to improve the signing and ratification of major international instruments.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 33) GoSL plans to ratify several Optional Protocols in the coming years. An objective of the on-going constitutional review process is, inter alia, to also incorporate some of the principles of international human rights espoused by the said Optional Protocols into the new constitution and thus make them as part of the supreme laws of the land. The Government is seeking donor support to enable it to prepare and submit the outstanding reports. A timetable for the submission of the reports supra is to be drawn in 2021 which will guide the GoSL.
Para 46) Sierra Leone signed the OP-CEDAW in September 2008 but has not ratified it. The Ebola Virus Disease in 2014 and the concurrent economic meltdown hampered the ratification process. With the election of a new government, came the Corona Virus pandemic. However, the Government has responded positively to the implementation of its contents.
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State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:AzerbaijanAzerbaijanRegional groupEEGPolitical groupOICCISIssue:
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:AcceptedContents:Continue the implementation of the National Referral Protocol on Gender-based Violence and the National Plan of Action on Gender-based Violence (2012) all across the country.ImplementationNational Report:
Para 28) Launched in December 2018, the Office of the First Lady led a rigorous campaign titled ‘Hands Off Our Girls’. As part of a national response against sexual and gender-based violence and related violations in the country, the Sexual Offences Act of 2012 was amended. Also, the first ‘Sexual Offences Model Court’ has been set up and launched on 24 July 2020 to try sexual violence offenders. In further fulfilment of the Government’s mandate and its determination to address this heinous crime, the Office of the Attorney-General and Minister of Justice has established a team to process speedy trial of cases involving sexual and gender-based violence and related violations. Also, State Counsel have been instructed to oppose bail from perpetrators of sexual offences and to ensure that convicted sex offenders do not benefit from the power of the prerogative of mercy.
Para 29) There has been a sexual amendment (Amendment) Act, 2019. The Act increases the punishment for conviction of rape or sexual offences of minors. Before this, there was a state of emergency on rape and other offences in 2019.
Para 40) As demonstrated in the national reports Sierra Leone submitted to the First and Second Cycle reviews, significant work has been undertaken, including the passing of the undermentioned instruments, to implement many of the recommendations of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) and to provide legislative safeguards for human rights: … • The Sexual Offences Act 2012; as amended by the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act, 2019;
Para 104) As a preventive measure, the GoSL formulated the National Male Involvement Strategy for the Prevention of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. It aims at, among other things, eradicating sexual and gender-based violence, promoting gender equality and upholding the rights and dignity of women and girls. The strategy adopts a socially transformative approach that focuses on the participation of men and boys as change agents and champions for protecting women and girls in their families, communities, schools and workplaces. It treats men not just as perpetrators of violence but as allies in changing power relations and systems in society that sustain gender inequality and violence.
Para 105) In 2019, the Government reviewed the Sexual Offences Act of 2012 and enacted the Sexual Offences (Amendment) Act 2019 to increase the maximum penalty for Rape and Sexual Penetration of a child from 15 years’ imprisonment to a sentence of life imprisonment and introduced the new offence of aggravated sexual assault and an alternative conviction of aggravated sexual assault. Also, a ‘Sexual Offences Model Court’ has been set up to try sexual violence offenders. In 2020, the GoSL instituted a free health line for rape and SGBV victims to report the incidences. Between April and October, 2020, a total of 48,147 calls were processed.
Para 106) In further fulfilment of the Government’s mandate and its determination to address this heinous crime, the Office of Attorney-General and Minister of Justice has established a team to process speedy trial of cases involving sexual and gender-based violence and related violations. Also, State Counsel have been instructed to oppose bail from perpetrators of sexual offences and to ensure that convicted sex offenders do not benefit from the power of prerogative of mercy. The FSU of the SLP is being strengthened to adequately respond to sexual and gender-based violence cases.
Para 107) From 11 to 20 May 2017, the Decentralisation Secretariat in partnership with the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) held consultative meetings with all 149 Paramount Chiefs in the country. These meetings addressed issues of violence against children and women. The Paramount Chiefs prepared action plans on how to prevent violence against children and women and promoting children welfare in their communities.
Para 119) Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) which is a perennial source of human rights violations is itself a complex mix of traditional beliefs and poverty that are experienced more by women, particularly by women in the rural areas and within the urban-rural enclaves.
UN Compilation:
Para 53) The United Nations country team commended Sierra Leone for the steps taken to address the increasing rate of reported cases of sexual and gender-based violence, including the launch of the “Hands off our girls” campaign in 2018, the development of a national strategy for the involvement of males in the prevention of and response to sexual and gender-based violence, and the establishment of a toll-free hotline to report cases of such violence. It also noted the assistance provided to victims.
Para 56) The United Nations country team remained concerned over the continuous prevalence of rape and other forms of sexual violence, including against children, and about the prolonged investigation and trial of cases reported to the police.
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 34) JS2 and JS3 welcomed that the Sexual Offenses Act was amended in 2019 to include additional sexual crimes and increased penalties for perpetrators of sexual violence against children. JS2 also welcomed the establishment of the Family Support Unit of the Police; the free toll line, the One-Stop-Centres, and related awareness raising campaigns. However, the organisations highlighted that significant issues should still to be addressed, such as rape, commercial child sexual exploitation.
Para 35) CUMG-SL stated that, while policies have been developed to combat sexual abuse against girls in school, those policies were challenged by inadequate support to ensure effective implementation.
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State Under Review:Sierra LeoneSierra LeoneRegional groupAfrica GroupPolitical groupAUOICCommonwealthSource Of Reference:JamaicaJamaicaRegional groupGRULACPolitical groupOASACSCommonwealthIssue:
- Violence against women / gender-based violence
- Women's and / or girls' rights
- Adolescent pregnancy
Type:RecommendationSession:24th session, January 2016Status:Unclear ResponseContents:Permit teenage mothers to return to formal education and to sit exams while pregnant and after giving birth, including the use of gradual approaches, such as separate classes or sittings, aimed at breaking cycles of poverty, teenage pregnancy and domestic abuse.ExplanationNoted. Those recommendations that have been noted in this category will be addressed in due time. For lack of resources and priorities according to our social demands and capabilities we can only address those that enjoy our support. We continue to encourage the Human Rights Commission of Sierra Leone to work with communities to improve awareness of such issues notedImplementationNational Report:
Para 27) The ban on pregnant girls in school that was introduced in 2015 was lifted on 30 March 2020. This is in conformity with recommendation of ending measures that excluded young pregnant girls from the mainstream educational system.
Para 57) On the 30 March 2020, the GoSL through its MBSSE lifted the ban on pregnant girls from participating in school education and this has been replaced by a new policy. The new policy of “radical inclusion and comprehensive safety” which under its treaty obligation under the ICESC article 2(1) encourages a progressive realisation of universal education for all children without any discrimination.
Para 58) Accordingly, the new policy “is building a radically inclusive Sierra Leone where all children – regardless of class, ethnicity, tribe, disability, location, gender reproductive or parental status – can live and learn in safety and dignity.’’ The Free Quality School Education (FQSE) framework lays out an overarching vision and holistic set of principles, towards a Sierra Leone where all children are entitled to meaningful and equitable opportunities to learn and prosper. This is an eloquent testament to the Government’s commitment to accessible and quality education (SDG 4), and gender equality (SDG 5).
Para 54) The United Nations country team stated that, as a response to a decision of the Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States, in 2019, Sierra Leone had established a sexual and reproductive health task force to advise on issues relating to the inclusion of adolescent girls and other vulnerable groups into the education system and on how to integrate comprehensive sexuality education into the basic education curriculum. In 2020, the ban on visibly pregnant girls attending schools had been lifted, and two policies, on radical inclusion and on comprehensive safety, for all children in the education system, had been developed. The United Nations country team commended Sierra Leone for the steps taken to facilitate the return of pregnant girls to school.
Stakeholder Summary:
Para 58) JS4 noted that according to a report of UNICEF, three out of every ten school girls are excluded from education as result of teenage pregnancy.
Para 61) JS3 indicated that, as a response to the ban on 2015 on pregnant girls attending school, in a decision of December 2019, the ECOWAS Court of Justice found that the policy barring girls from attending school, amounted to discrimination and human rights violations. JS2 and JS3 noted, however that deep seated challenges still remain, including policy measures to reverse the societal attitudes that support discrimination against pregnant girls.