𝐌𝐎𝐒𝐖 𝟏7-𝟑-𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟔
H.E. Melrose Karminty, has called for meaningful youth participation in shaping gender equality policies as she addressed a high-level side event at the 70th Commission on the Status of Women (#CSW70).
Speaking at the event titled “From Conakry to CSW70: Youth Driving Justice, Participation, Social Inclusion and Gender Equality in West and Central Africa,” held at the Westin #NewYork Grand Central on March 16, 𝐌𝐫𝐬. 𝐌𝐞𝐥𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐊𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐲 – 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐒𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐖𝐞𝐥𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐞 underscored the critical role of young people as partners in development rather than passive beneficiaries. She opened her remarks by expressing Sierra Leone’s appreciation to co-hosts Plan International and the Permanent Mission of Sierra Leone to the United Nations, while acknowledging the youth leaders whose advocacy shaped the Conakry Youth Declaration adopted in May 2025.
Minister Karminty outlined Sierra Leone’s significant legislative advancements in protecting women and girls, highlighting the Prohibition of #ChildMarriageAct of 2024 as a historic milestone in eliminating child marriage and safeguarding girls’ rights to education and development. She further noted that the #SexualOffenses (Amendment) Act and the establishment of the Sexual Offenses Model Court have strengthened the justice system’s capacity to respond swiftly to sexual and gender-based violence cases.
These measures, the Minister emphasized, address a pressing national challenge, with statistics indicating that three in five Sierra Leonean women experience physical or sexual violence during their lifetime. She detailed ongoing efforts through Family Support Units of the Sierra Leone Police and trained social workers across districts to strengthen coordination between justice, social welfare, and community protection systems. These initiatives provide survivor-centered services including psychosocial support, case management, and referrals. At community level, the Ministry continues to strengthen child protection structures and engagement mechanisms to prevent violence, harmful practices, and discrimination against women and girls.
Minister Karminty stressed that sustained progress requires empowering young women and men to contribute to policy dialogue, community leadership, and national development. “Their perspectives are essential in shaping responsive social protection systems and advancing gender equality,” she stated.
The high-level dialogue brought together ministers and representatives from across West and Central Africa, including Liberia, Guinea, Cameroon, and Mali, alongside the Ecowas – Cedeao Commissioner for Human and Social Development, Professor Fatou Sarr Sow, and civil society partners including FAWE and Réseau Siggil Jigen. Youth delegates Nadege from Togo and Oumar from Guinea delivered interventions highlighting barriers to justice and accountability mechanisms required from governments and partners.
A beta version of the “Conakry Commitments Tracker” was presented during the session, designed to monitor progress on pledges made by member states in implementing the Conakry Youth Declaration priorities.
In her closing remarks, Minister Karminty reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s commitment to translating shared priorities into action at national and community levels. “Commitments made at international forums must be followed by implementation at national and community levels,” she emphasized. “Achieving this requires sustained collaboration, accountability, and adequate resources.” She called for continued partnership among governments, development partners, civil society, and youth-led organizations to track progress and ensure tangible change for women and girls across the region.
The Minister concluded by expressing appreciation to Plan International, fellow ministers, UN partners, and youth leaders, urging that the spirit and priorities of the Conakry Youth Declaration continue to inspire action beyond CSW70.
𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐢𝐧𝐪𝐮𝐢𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬, 𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐚𝐜𝐭:
𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐔𝐧𝐢𝐭
+𝟐𝟑𝟐 𝟕𝟐 𝟓𝟑𝟕 𝟎𝟑𝟓 | 𝐢𝐧𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐦.𝐨𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐫.𝐦𝐨𝐬𝐰@𝐦𝐨𝐢𝐜.𝐠𝐨𝐯.𝐬𝐥