By George M.O. Williams
Freetown, Sierra Leone—The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with local and international organizations, successfully concluded a National Conference on Financing for Women, Peace, and Security on Friday, April 25, 2025, at the Atlantic Hotel in Freetown.
Funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, the conference called for increased investment in women as peacebuilders, entrepreneurs, and agents of change. Held under the theme “Pathways to Inclusive Financing for Women, Peace and Security”, the two-day event provided a platform to develop strategies for sustainable financing frameworks that align with the Women, Peace, and Security (WPS) agenda.
The event was part of a broader project titled “Localization and Working Together for Peace: Repositioning Women-Focused CSOs for Sustainable Peace in Sierra Leone.” It was a collaborative initiative involving UN Women Sierra Leone, UNDP Sierra Leone, the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, and World Vision International.
A Unified Call for Action
Speaking on behalf of the UNDP Resident Coordinator, Mabulara Tsuene underscored the conference’s objective of engaging stakeholders, sharing perspectives, and developing a national framework for women’s financing.
“Sierra Leone has made remarkable progress in placing women in decision-making positions,” Tsuene remarked. “It is important to strengthen women’s leadership and representation across all sectors of society.”
She further highlighted the conference’s success in establishing partnerships to ensure the sustainability of its outcomes.
Key Outcomes and Recommendations
Abdul Rahman Kays, one of the key speakers, noted that the conference brought together stakeholders from government, civil society, the private sector, and development partners to review progress, discuss challenges, and chart a course forward.
Among the key recommendations were:
- Establishing a national framework for women’s financing,
- Creating dedicated institutions to support women’s financial empowerment,
- Developing a peace and security basket fund, and
- Mapping women-owned Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
“These commitments set the tone for continued dialogue among stakeholders as they reaffirmed their resolve to place women at the center of development and peacebuilding efforts,” Kays emphasized.
Women as Agents of Change
Prominent gender activist Dr. Nana Pratt highlighted the transformative power of women in fostering peace and security. She called for sustainable and inclusive financing to support women-led initiatives, ensuring lasting peace and development in Sierra Leone.
Dr. Pratt urged all stakeholders to recognize the crucial role women play as agents of change and to back their efforts through consistent financial support.
The conference reaffirmed the collective resolve to elevate women’s leadership roles in shaping a peaceful and prosperous future for Sierra Leone.