Bio Reaffirms Commitment to Child Protection, Calls for Stronger UN Partnership
President Julius Maada Bio has reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to protecting children from violence, abuse and exploitation, while calling for strengthened cooperation with the United Nations to improve child welfare and safeguard the rights of children across Sierra Leone.
The President made the assurance on Monday, 9 November 2026, when he received the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Violence Against Children, Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, during a courtesy visit at State House in Freetown. The delegation was led by the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Madam Isata Mahoi.
During the meeting, Dr M’jid commended President Bio for placing children’s rights and welfare at the centre of his Government’s development priorities. She described the engagement as an opportunity to acknowledge Sierra Leone’s efforts in advancing child protection and to strengthen the country’s partnership with the United Nations.
She stressed that effectively addressing violence against children required sustained investment, stronger national institutions and coordinated action between the Government and international partners. She also called for increased technical assistance to reinforce existing child-protection systems and support the implementation of national policies aimed at safeguarding children.
Dr M’jid further encouraged the Government to intensify efforts to tackle harmful practices, particularly female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage, emphasising the need for sustained advocacy and collective responsibility in protecting vulnerable children.
Responding, President Bio expressed appreciation for the United Nations’ continued partnership and support, reaffirming that child protection remained a fundamental pillar of his Government’s human capital development agenda.
He maintained that every child in Sierra Leone deserved to grow up in a safe and supportive environment, free from abuse and exploitation, with access to quality education, basic necessities and opportunities to fulfil their potential.
The President highlighted the Free Quality School Education programme as one of his administration’s flagship initiatives, describing it as a major commitment under the New Direction manifesto. He noted that the programme had significantly expanded access to education for children nationwide, notwithstanding challenges posed by global economic pressures and other international crises.
On the sensitive issues of FGM and child marriage, President Bio acknowledged the need for careful engagement, dialogue and broad-based national consensus. He underscored the importance of involving Parliament, religious leaders and other relevant stakeholders in addressing these deeply rooted practices, while reiterating his Government’s responsibility to protect children.
President Bio also recognised the importance of sustained international cooperation in strengthening child-protection mechanisms, expressing optimism that closer collaboration with the United Nations would translate into more practical interventions and measurable progress.
The engagement reaffirmed the shared commitment of Sierra Leone and the United Nations to strengthening child-protection institutions, addressing harmful practices and ensuring that every child grows up in safety, dignity and with equal opportunities to thrive.
