By Mohamed J. Kargbo
Christian Aid, in collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) and key development partners, officially launched the $1.9 million ‘Women’s Land for Peace’ project on Friday, March 7, 2025, at the Family Kingdom in Freetown.
The initiative aims to promote gender-inclusive land ownership, mitigate conflicts, and empower women as leaders in natural resource management.
The two-year project will be implemented in Port Loko, Kailahun, Kono, and Tonkolili districts in partnership with five national organizations: Green Scenery, Network Movement for Justice and Development, Women’s Network for Environmental Sustainability, Barefoot Women Solar Engineer Association of Sierra Leone, and the 50/50 Group.
Delivering the keynote address, Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Isata Mahoi, emphasized the importance of the initiative in addressing long-standing gender inequalities. “This project aligns with the theme of this year’s International Women’s Day—‘For All Women and Girls: Rights. Equality. Empowerment.’ It is a crucial step in empowering women to lead and creating pathways for sustainable peace through gender-transformative land and resource management,” she stated.
Mattia Koi Dimoh, Country Director of Christian Aid, highlighted the project’s role in transforming land governance systems to be more inclusive. “This initiative will challenge gender biases in land ownership, strengthen women-led organizations, and create a peaceful, gender-inclusive environment for conflict resolution,” he said.
He also noted that the project will support the implementation of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Act and the Land Acts, ensuring that women’s rights are fully recognized in land policies.
Seraphine Wakana, UN Country Representative, underscored the barriers women face in land ownership and decision-making processes. “Denying women access to land is a violation of their fundamental rights. We must not remain silent in the face of such injustices,” she asserted.
Wakana called for stronger collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the project delivers tangible benefits to women in the targeted districts.
She reaffirmed the UN’s commitment to working with the government, civil society, and local communities to advance the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda, as outlined in Sierra Leone’s Third Generation National Action Plan for the Implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325.
As Sierra Leone continues to make strides in women’s empowerment, the ‘Women’s Land for Peace’ project represents a significant step toward securing land rights for women, fostering economic independence, and ensuring their leadership in conflict resolution and resource management.
