UN’s Leonardo Simao Calls for Greater Focus on Gender Equality in Peace
At the 2024 Regional Open Day on Women, Youth, Peace, and Security held in Freetown on October 15th, Leonardo Santos Simao, Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General and Head of UNOWAS, called for intensified efforts to promote gender equality in peace and security across West Africa and the Sahel. He praised regional progress on UNSCR 1325 and highlighted the establishment of the West Africa and Sahel Women Mediators Rapid Response Team as a vital step in involving women in peace negotiations. However, he stressed that challenges remain, particularly in conflict-affected regions.
Simao urged stakeholders to ensure that women, especially young women, are included in decision-making on peace, security, and development, and emphasized the importance of fully implementing resolutions focused on conflict prevention and peacebuilding. He applauded Sierra Leone for hosting the event and providing a platform to review the progress of UNSCR 1325 as its 25th anniversary approaches in 2025.
Timothy Kabba, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, reaffirmed the country’s commitment to women’s rights and youth empowerment, citing the progress made through national laws such as the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act. He emphasized the significance of UNSCR 1325 and UNSCR 2250, which focus on the inclusion of women and youth in peace processes. Despite challenges, Kabba called for collective action to build a peaceful West Africa and Sahel led by women and youth.
Sierra Leone’s Minister of Gender Affairs, Isata Mahoi, discussed the implementation of the Third Generation National Action Plan (SiLNAP III) for 2024-2029, which targets violence prevention, increased participation of women in security, and protecting women from gender-based violence. She urged stakeholders to address inequalities, especially in rural areas, where women face significant barriers.
UN Resident Coordinator in Sierra Leone, Frederick Ampiah, and Mano River Union Secretary General, Ambassador Simeon Moribah, also expressed support for advancing gender equality and reiterated the importance of women’s participation in peacebuilding efforts across the region.
