The Sierra Leone National Action Plan (SiLNAP) II 2019-2023

1.0. Introduction

1.1 General Background………………………………………………………….……… 1 1.1.1 Global Context of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda …………. 2

1.1.2 The Sierra Leone Women, Peace and Security Context ………………. 4 a. Geography and Demography ……………………………………………….. 4 b. Women, Peace and Security Context …………………………………….. 5

1.1.3 Alignment of National, Regional and International Policies and Framework……………………………………………………………………………. 11 2.0. Elaboration of the Sierra Leone National Action Plan (SiLNAP II ) for the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) – SiLNAP II (2019-2023) 2.1. Setting the Stage in the Process of Developing the Sierra Leone National Action Plan II…………………………………………………………………………………….. 14

2.2. Resource Mobilisation for the Crafting of SiLNAP II……………………………. 14

2.3 Commissioning of the Crafting of SiLNAP II ………………………………………. 15 2.4. SiLNAP II Writers’ Orientation and Refresher Workshop……………….….. 15

2.5. Regional Stakeholder Consultations…………………………………………..….….. 16

2.6. Writers Retreat…………………………………………………………………………….….. 16 2.7. Debrief Session with all National Steering Committee Members………… 17

2.8. Monitoring and Evaluation Framework Development……………………….. 17

2.9. Regional Stakeholders Validations…………………………………………………… 17 2.10. A Rapid Assessment Survey based on a series of Guiding Questions and Mapping Questionnaire…………………………………………………………………….. 17

2.11. Costing of SiLNAP II……………………………………………………………………….…. 19

2.12. Printing and Launch of the Second Generation of SiLNAP…………………... 19 3.0. The Sierra Leone National Action Plan (SiLNAP II)

3.1. Vision ………………………………………………………………………………………… 21

3.2. Mission ……………………………………………………………………………………… 21

3.3. National Action Plan Matrix ……………………………………………………….. 22

3.4. National Action Plan Budget Estimate …………………………………………. 37

3.5. Resource Mobilisation for full implementation…………………………….. 45

3.5.1 Financing SiLNAP II………………………………………………………….. 45 i

3.5.2 Role of Government, Non-State and Private Sectors…………….. 47 3.5.3 Coordination between and among stakeholders – Government, NGOs, CSOs, CBOs, INGOs………………………………………………….. 51

3.5.4 Advocacy…………………………………………………………………………. 53

3.5.5 Capacity Building………………………………………………………………. 53

4.0. Monitoring and Evaluation Framework

4.1. Introduction to M & E Framework………………………………………… 53

4.1.1 Background………………………………………………………………… 53

4.1.2 Objectives…………………………………………………………………… 54

4.2 Monitoring and Evaluation Matrix………………………………………… 55

4.3 Financing the M & E Plan……………………………………………………… 68

4.4 Structure of the Plan……………………………………………………………. 68

4.4.1 Institutional Readiness for Monitoring the NAP…………… 69

4.4.2 Institutional Arrangement for Monitoring the NAP……….. 69

4.4.3 Coordination of M & E Activities at National Level………... 70

4.4.4 Coordination of M & E Activities at Regional Level……….. 70

4.4.5 Coordination of M & E Activities at District and Community/Chiefdom Level……………………………………….. 71

4.5 Indicators for Monitoring SiLNAP………………………………………….. 72 4.6 Data Requirement for Monitoring and Evaluation of the SiLNAP… 73

4.6.1 Data Collection……………………………………………………………….. 73

4.6.2 Data Storage and Management………………………………………... 73

4.7. Budget for Implementing the M & E Plan…………………………………… 73

5.0. Conclusion…………………………………………………………………………………………… 74

6.0. Appendices………………………………………………………………………………………….. 76

7.0. Bibliography……………………………………………………………………………………….. 79 ii i. Preface As a post conflict country, we believe in the core tenets and values of the United Nations Security Council resolutions 1325 focusing on women, peace and security and 1820 on sexual violence as a weapon of war. We will continue to consolidate the gains made already in peacebuilding by inclusive participation of all stakeholders, thereby ensure active peacebuilding and peace consolidation. My Government will continue to provide the policy and legal environment for the protection of women and girls and their inclusion in decision-making, in peacebuilding, and development processes at all levels Sierra Leone was the 4thcountry in West Africa to develop a comprehensive National Action Plan(NAP) for the full implementation of UNSCR 1325, 7th in Africa, and 17th globally. The second generation of the Sierra Leone National Action Plan (SiLNAP II) for the full implementation of UNSCRs 1325 and 1820 builds firmly on the final evaluation ofSiLNAP I (2009-2014), and in-country monitoring and evaluation reports of achievements and gaps, as well as emerging issues. SiLNAP I reflected Government’s commitment as well as accountability in ensuring the security of women and girls and enhancing their direct participation in conflict prevention,resolution and peacebuilding efforts in Sierra Leone. SiLNAP II whichhas six priority themes, for the effective implementation of theWomen,Peace and Security Agenda in Sierra Leone,has incorporated in these themes the core values of prevention of violence,protection,participation and recovery as enshrined in UNSCRs 1325 and 1820.These themes range from Prevention of Conflict in Communities and addressing the root causes at all levels in Pillar1,through Prosecution, punishment of perpetrators of SGBV effectively, their rehabilitation, and safeguarding women’s, young adults’ and girls’ human rights at all times in Pillar 3,to Promotion of effective monitoring, evaluation, coordination,implementation and reporting of the National Action Plan in Pillar 6. These Pillars emergedon the basis of the demand by a wide range of stakeholders in all the regions, districts including chiefdoms, and agreed to, in rigorous engagement and involvement process of stakeholders. Stakeholders included Parliamentarians, Paramount Chiefs, Town and Section Chiefs,government functionariesfrom Ministries,Departments, Agencies, UN Agencies, Security Sector Institutions, religious leaders, media, CSOs, CBOs and women led groups, media among others. iii Thus, in the crafting process, which promotes the culture of ownership and sustainability, we have included based on the in-country demands and priorities, the matters of prosecution of perpetrators of violence against women, community engagement and coordination.The agreed pillars of SiLNAP II will go a long way to address violence against women and ensure inclusive participation and empowerment of women through a gender mainstreaming lens. As part of our commitment to the promotion of gender equality and women’s empowerment, we have dedicated a whole Cluster-5- titled ‘Empoweringwomen, children and persons with disability’ in the Medium Term National Development Plan (MTNDP), 2019-2023, (the fourth in the country’s series of Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers -PRSP) developed under our New Direction Agenda, to which SiLNAP II is also aligned, among other national frameworks. The roles of women in peacebuilding cannot be over emphasised in our contemporary world. Sierra Leonean women have played critical roles in attainment of peace and sustainable development, and continue to play such important roles. My government recognises and values women’s agency and women who constitute 50.8 percent of the total population, cannot and will not be excluded from peace and sustainable development processes. It is in this vein that I have responded to intervene in the persisting horrifying rise of rape and sexual penetration, in this country. These menaces not only violate their human rights and dignity, but also gravely deter enduring peace and development of our nation. Violence against women and girls has no place in our society, and every effort will be made to intensify our prevention and response mechanisms to address this menace. The official declaration of aNational Emergency on Rape and Sexual Violence that I made on the 7th February 2019 is one such major prevention mechanism,with various elements, which include, lifeimprisonment for Sexual Penetration of Minors, and the creation of a Special Division for Rape and Sexual Penetration of Minors, separate from the FSU, by the Sierra Leone Police. Let me conclude by assuring you that my government will provide the enabling environment and necessary resources for the full implementation of SiLNAP II because such implementation is germane to the envisaged result oriented success story in the Women, Peace and Security Agenda in Sierra Leone. H. E. Brig. Rtd. Julius Maada Bio President of the Republic of Sierra Leone iv ii. Foreword The vital role of women in achieving peace and development has been recognised in the series of UN Resolutions on women, peace and security starting on 31st October 2000, with the unanimous adoption by the United Nations Security Council of Resolution 1325.Since then, this core resolution has been affirmed through the seven other subsequent resolutions- 1820(2008),1888(2009),1889(2009),1960(2010), 2106(2013),2122(2013),2242 (2015). These all constitute the normative framework of theWomen, Peace andSecurity Agenda. They call to strengthen women’/girls voices and agency in the struggle to remove structural barriers and traditional practices that persistently impede progress towards gender equality and women’s empowerment. Sierra Leone’s second generation of National Action Plan for the full implementation of the United Nation Security Council Resolution 1325(2000) and 1820(2008),referred to as, SiLNAP seeks to strengthen and fast track progress in countering those persistent barriers through more robust measures that leverage the active push of members of Parliament, and especially, the Parliamentary Female Caucus. As Members of Parliament we are uniquely positioned to promote the gender agenda as embedded in the tenets of the Women, Peace and Security agenda. We will use parliamentary processes and advocacy to promote law reform in support of gender equality and women, peace and security issues delineated under the Six Pillars of SiLNAP II. Through our law-making and oversight functions,we can ensure that government institutions promote peace,security and gender equality by guaranteeing that all laws-in our intent and in our application-promote and protect human rights,inclusive governance and accountability.These areof particular importance in the law and justice sectors and are being demanded across the strands of the various strategic outcomes, outputs and actions within the framework SiLNAP II. Practical showing of commitment, as individuals and members of oversight committees of parliament is the unanimous passage, by the Sierra Leone Parliament, of the Resolution on the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, on 14thFebruary, 2019(cf. Appendix II1) With Parliamentary action in support of the full implementation of SiLNAP II through intensified Localisation strategy, which commenced under SiLNAP I, to ensure that our rural women can reap the benefits of UNSCRs 1325 and 1820, we will work with the MSWGCA,MLGRD, Local and Chiefdom Councils and Traditional Authorities as well as CSOs with relevant International partners’ assistance, in achieving the desirable change that Sierra Leonean women/girls deserve in this day and age. Honourable Veronica KadiSesay President, Sierra Leone Female Parliamentary Caucus iii. Acknowledgements v The Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs would like to thank the various members and their institutions and organisations which constitute the National Steering Committee for implementation of WPS agenda in Sierra Leone. Their invaluable ongoing enthusiasm and commitment were a strong tooling force in the design and development of this forward-looking SiLNAP. We would like to express our special thanks to the Honourable Members of the Sierra Leone Parliament, whose representatives actively participated in the consultative workshops that were organised in the five geographical regions,including their districts and chiefdoms. The outcomes of these consultative workshops have informed and shaped SiLNAPII. We are hugely indebted to the Team of crafters and writers for theirunstinted expertise and energy and collective technical insights and guidance to the Regional/District/Chiefdom participants which helped participants to identify andrecommendrelevant and key WPS informationrequired for the development of SiLNAPII; to the Team comprising:Dr. Nana Pratt , lead writer, and writers : Rosaline Macarthy (Women’s Forum-SL), Hannah Mallah (MARWOPNET), SahrKendema(CGG), Margaret Kaitibie(DecSec/MLGRD), Colonel Leona YemaTucker, Director of Gender and Equal Opportunities, Ministry of Defence/RSLAF, Martha Chigozie(TEDEWOGA) and others, we express our deepest thanks. Also, we are very grateful to all the Regional/District/Chiefdom participants, including the Paramount Chiefs, the other traditional authorities and Local Councils for their active participation in the consultative workshops. I will be remiss in my acknowledgements if I fail to thank the staff of the Gender Affairs Directorate for coordinating the entire process that has culminated in the finalisation of the second generation of the Sierra Leone National Action Plan on UNSCR 1325 and 1820. I am particularly indebted to Mr. Charles Vandi, Director of Gender Affairs for the overall technical leadership; Joseph S. Sinnah, Chief Social Services Officer, Goodie Sowonie, Deputy Director of Gender Affairs, Alice J. Koroma, Assistant Director, MSWGCA East, Ibrahim Kamara, Assistant Director Gender Training and Advocacy, Harry Mahoi and Ms. Anita Momoh, Senior Social Services Officers, Gender Policy respectively, Ms. Rosa David, Senior Social Services Officer, Advancement of Women,Ms. Lois Lebbie;Mr. John Lahai and Mr. Moses Kabia for their technical input in the monitoring and evaluation framework of the plan. Also,we appreciate members of the NOW-(SL) support team-Ms.Mabel Kartusche for her secretariat support and HajaMariamaFofana for her editorial assistance. Finally, we must thank UNWOMEN, UNDP and the UN/PBF without whose resources; the development of SiLNAPII would not have readily come to fruition.The Ministry is particularly grateful to BainduMassaquoi, Mary Foday, MarbeySartie, Samuel Londo all of UN Women and Musu Bangura of UNDP for their technical support in driving this process. Hon.BainduDassama, Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs vi iv. Abbreviations and Acronyms AU African Union CEDAW Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women CHISECS Chiefdom Security Committees CSO Civil Society Organizations CSW Commission on the Status of Women DISECS District Security Committees Dec Sec Decentralisation Secretariat ECOWAS Economic Community of West African States FAS Femme Africa Solidarite FSU Family Support Unit GBV Gender Based Violence GFP Gender Focal Point GNWP Global Network of Women Peacebuilders GoSL Government of Sierra Leone HRCSL Human Rights Commission Sierra Leone IMC Independent Media Commission M&E Monitoring and Evaluation MBSSE Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education MDAs Ministries, Departments and Agencies MARWOPNET (SL) Mano River Women's Peace Network (Sierra Leone) MLGRD Ministry of Local Government &Rural Development MTI Ministry of Trade and Industry MTHE Ministry of Technical and Higher Education MOF Ministry of Finance MPED Ministry of Planning and Economic Development MSWGCA Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children Affairs MTNDP Medium Term National Development Plan, 2019-2023 NaC-GBV National Committee on Gender-Based Violence NAP National Action Plan NEC National Electoral Commission NGSP National Gender Strategy Plan NSC National Steering Committee NOW (SL) National Organisation for Women Sierra Leone ONS Office of National Security OP Operative Paragraph (of the Resolution) PROSECS Provincial Security Committees RSC Regional Steering Committee RSLAF Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces SLCC Sierra Leone Correctional Centre SiLNAP Sierra Leone National Action Plan SSI Security Sector Institution SSR Security Sector Reform SGBV Sexual and Gender Based Violence SLFF Sierra Leone Fire Force TRC Truth and Reconciliation Commission vii UN United Nations UNGTG United Nations Gender Theme Group UNFPA United Nations Population Fund UNWOMEN United Nations Entity on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment UNSCR 1325(2000) United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (October 2000) UNSCR 1820 (2008) United Nations Security Council Resolution 1820 (June 2008) WANEP-SL West Africa Network for Peacebuilding-Sierra Leone WISSIL Women in Security Sector, Sierra Leone WPS Women, Peace and Security viii v. Executive Summary The Sierra Leone Government demonstrated its commitment to action, for the full implementation of UNSCRs 1325 and 1820 when it show cased its NAP (SiLNAP I) to the world at a side meeting, during the celebrations of International Women’s Day at the United Nations, New York, on 4th March,2010. SiLNAP I expired in December 2014.A comprehensive evaluation was carried out in 2015. Based on SiLNAP evaluation recommendations and a number of emerging issues, SiLNAP II was developed. This second generation guiding national policy tool, SiLNAP II captures the role of the variety of stakeholders and actors among, government line ministries, departments, agencies, including security sector institutions, non-state actors-women led, mixed gender, national and international, bilateral and multilateral development partners who underscore the truth that for peace to endure, women too count and must be fully engaged in it. This is the spirit of UNSCR 1325 which is the core of the Women, Peace and Security agenda, comprising its strengthening 1820(2008) and six other supporting resolutions. The Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs, in May 2018, with the support of the National Steering Committee on the implementation of UNSCRs1325&1820 (NSC) initiated and coordinated the development of SiLNAP II through an intensified, consultative process of engagement with and involvement of a wide spectrum of stakeholders and actors working on Women, Peace and Security areas. The spectrum included members of parliament, development policy/planning officers, gender focal officers, M&E officers from MDAs, Local Council officers, Paramount Chiefs, other Community /Chiefdom level traditional authorities, soweis, CSOs, CBOs and UN Agencies-UN Women, UNDP, UNFPA and UNESCO. SiLNAP II captures prevailing Sierra Leonean realities and context of women’s priority issues and concerns of peace and security. SiLNAP II is built around six pillars, within a result based framework, addresses some substantive elements of women’s meaningful participation, comprehensive security threats encompassing freedom from political, economic or sexual violence, including environmental and health emergencies, and behavioural and social barriers to women’s inclusion. The six pillars based on the priorities identified at the national consultations are:-Prevention of conflict in communities and addressing the root causes of conflicts at all levels; • Protection and support of women, girls and SGBV survivors and other vulnerable persons; ix • Prosecute and punish perpetrators of SGBV effectively and safeguard women’s, adolescent’s and girls’ rights at all times as well as rehabilitate perpetrators; • Participation and representation of women in leadership at all levels of decision-making in peacebuilding and development processes; • Promote peace culture and empower communities to generate and sustain their own well-being, environmental security and early response to health emergencies; • Promote effective coordination implementation monitoring and evaluation and reporting of the National Action Plan. SiLNAP II is aligned to national policy priorities as contained in the following:- • the National Gender Strategic Plan(NGSP); • the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) policy • Medium Term National Development Plan, Cluster 5 “Empowering Women, Children and PWDs”. Though the MSWGCA is the principal national focal point for coordinating the implementation of SiLNAP II, it will be inclusively implemented with the application of the Localisation strategy, which was endorsed under the first SiLNAP, through the strong collaborative efforts of MLGRD and MSWGCA and Local Councils. This approach is productive and is a best practice people-centred approach. It is a tool being applied by Local Councils based on the Localisation Guidelines developed in-country, for the Alignment/Harmonisation of UNSCR 1325/SiLNAP with Local Development Planning. The SiLNAP II has a comprehensive M&E plan and is fully costed. The envisaged push from Parliament, and especially the Female Caucus, as well as the Parliamentary Oversight Committee on Finance, gives little or no doubt, that there is a strong political will for successful implementation. Charles Vandi Director of Gender Affairs Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs x

1.0 Introduction

1.1 General Background The United Nations, for the first time, since its establishment in 1947, held an open discussion session on 24thOctober, 2000, examining war, from the perspective of women. The outcome of that special session was the unanimous passage, on 31st October of the United Nations Security Council Resolution, UNSCR 1325 which focuses on Women, Peace and Security (WPS).The adoption of UNSCR 1325, reaffirmed through the passage of multiple subsequent resolutions on WPS has formally initiated the Women, Peace and Security Agenda. The other seven sister resolutions of the WPS Agenda to date are 1820 (2008); 1888 (2009); 1889 (2009); 1960 (2011); 2106 (2013); 2122 (2013) and 2242 (2015)1. The core resolution UNSCR 1325 calls attention to the unique needs of women in conflict affected contexts, focusing on a variety of interventions to protect women and girls affected by conflict and to ensure their inclusion in the peacebuilding process that so affects their lives, including attention to the promotion of women’s participation at decision-making level in peace processes, political, judiciary, electoral management systems, post-conflict peacebuilding and efforts to prevent violent extremism (PVE). The most critical elements of this resolution that continue to require intense focus for actions, at all levels, is the recognition of women’s role as peacebuilders and decision-makers. The WPS Agenda represent a normative framework created for women’s meaningful participation in conflict prevention and peacebuilding, protection of women’s and girls’ right and prevention of sexual violence in conflict. The purpose of the WPS Agenda is to strengthen women’s and girls’, inparticular also, adolescent’s voices and agency in the struggle to remove structural barriers, and traditional practices that persistently impede progress towards gender equality and women’s empowerment. The focus, also pin points that action is needed for improvement in, and increasing active women’s representation, participation and leadership at decision-making levels in conflict prevention and in all peace processes, as well as the protection of women’s, young adult women’s and girls’ rights, including from sexual and gender 1 1 See Appendix1 based violence, as underlined in the WPS Agenda. These elements are reflected in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), especially 5 & 16. The imperative of effectively implementing the WPS Agenda cannot be over emphasised. Effective implementation of the WPS Agenda in Sierra Leone would contribute to transforming women’s images from those of victims to peacebuilding decision-makers and agents of, desirable, lasting peace, security and development at national, regional, district and chiefdom levels.

1.1.1 Global Context of the Women, Peace and Security Agenda The WPS Agenda builds on a body of international protection laws and legal instruments for women such as the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW) and the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BDPfA). The WPS Agenda is recognised as having contributed to shifting the paradigm on how the international community responds to conflict and the impact of conflict on women, with emphasis on the critical essence of engaging and involving women in peace processes and security operations at all levels. The Agenda recognises that peace is inextricably linked with equality between women and men, equal access, and equal participation of women and men in governance structures, measures and all efforts towards peace and security. Thus, it affirms that gender equality itself is a source of lasting peace. It is undeniable that women’s rights cannot be fully attained in conditions of conflicts and violence. And no society can call itself truly peaceful and stable, unless it is able to achieve gender equality and ensure women’s meaningful inclusion, and representation in decision- making positions at all levels of peace processes. The significance of considering the specific needs of women and girls in the development and design of policy in all areas, as well as incorporating the views ,contributions and experience of women’s organisations in policy and programme development is highly relevant. In October 2013 the UN adopted General Recommendation 30 on women in conflict prevention, conflict areas and conflict affected situation. Thus, member states in their periodic CEDAW country reports are required to show interventions 2 implemented on UNSCR 1325/WPS Agenda, as there is a significant nexus between the two sets of legal frameworks. The core resolution of the WPS Agenda – UNSCR 1325 has 4 main pillars calling on Government to take action to support: • Increased participation of women at all levels of decision-making, including in national, regional and international institutions; in mechanisms for the prevention, management and resolution of conflict; in peace negotiations; and in peace operations; • Protection of women and prevention of gender-based violence, including in humanitarian situations; • Prevention of violence against women, including by prosecuting those responsible for violations, strengthening women’s rights under national law and supporting local women’s peace initiatives and conflict resolution processes; • Relief and recovery measures to address international crises through a gendered lens. The UNSCR is a core and overarching legal framework for the world’s Women, Peace and Security Agenda, and reflects for global focus, four key elements that require widespread interest. These are:- • The disproportionate number of women and girls affected by armed conflict and the necessity to protect women in conflict and post conflict situation. • The under-representation of women in conflict resolution and peacebuilding processes. • The imperative of promoting women as peacemakers and peacebuilders, including their participation in conflict prevention and peace processes. • The imperative to mainstream a gender perspective in all areas of peace support operations and in the security architecture of the UN system and member states. Although UNSCR 1325 represented a global commitment, it was clear that action was to be taken at national level, by individual member states. To ensure locally appropriate responses, member states are encouraged to adopt a UNSCR 1325 National Action Plan (NAP) that would set out each country’s own priorities, taking into account the most critical needs as understood in the national context. NAPs would guide national efforts, and also serve as a monitoring tool to hold states accountable for their WPS commitments, including by parliaments. As of December 2018, 79 member states have now adopted NAPs; and some regions and sub-regions have developed Regional policies and Regional Action Plan (RAPs), such as the ECOWAS Regional Action Plan (17 September, 2010).Also, the 315th Protocol to the Mano River Union Declaration (June 2012), under chapters 1-3 contain Articles which include threat to women’s security and gender mainstreaming in member states as well as related to border and food security related issues. The African Union has a Gender Policy 2 which cites UNSCR 1325 and supporting resolutions. The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) and the Euro Atlantic 2 The AU Gender policy, 2009 Partnership Council (EAPC) adopted a policy and Action Plan on WPS 3 and the European Union (EU) has a Comprehensive Approach to the implementation of WPS Resolutions.4 While there are strong WPS commitments in place and global acknowledgement of their importance, relevant implementation has lagged behind, in particular, according to the 2015 High Level Review and Global Study on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (‘Global Study’). The report showed that UNSCR 1325 has been implemented with uneven and varied global results regarding women’s participation in national, regional and international conflict resolution and peacebuilding processes.

1.1.2 The Sierra Leone Women, Peace and Security Context: Civil War and Post Conflict (a) Geography and Demography Sierra Leone located in West Africa, is one of the sixteen member States of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The country has a land mass covering about 72,000 Sq. Km. and consists on the western side, a hilly peninsular area bordered by the Atlantic Ocean. The north-west and north-east borders are shared with the Republic of Guinea, and are bordered on the South-eastern side by the Republic of Liberia. The Population and Household census of 2015 puts the population size at 7,092,113 with annual growth rate of 3.2%.Sixty-three percent of the population are rural dwellers, engaged mostly in subsistence agriculture. The population has a youthful age structure with those hose under 15 years constituting about 42%; those between15-35 years represent about 37% with the age group 65 years and above constituting about 4%. There are 17 different ethnic groups in the country. The major groups include the Mende and Kono in the South and East, Temne, Limba, Koranko, Mandingo, Susu and Fullah in the North and Creoles in the Western Area. 4 Women, constitute about 50.8% of the population, and represent 65% of the agricultural labour force. (b) Women, Peace and Security Situation 3 NATO/EAPC Women, Peace and Security Policy and Action Plan 2018 4 Comprehensive approach to the EU implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820 on women, peace and security, 2008 The Sierra Leone civil war started in March 1991 and officially came to an end in January 2002. The high impact of the death toll 5 among the populations, massive destruction of infrastructure and extensive internal6and external displacement still linger in the nation’s memory. The country made some progress in its post war recovery initiatives, which included the conduct of independent elections in 2012 and recently in April 2018. Since 2011, the World Bank Country Assessment Report has put Sierra Leone above the fragile state category. Nonetheless, a UN Integrated Technical Assessment Missions to Sierra Leone in 2013 noted that attention has to be paid to root causes of the conflict to avoid a potential relapse6. These assessments remain valid even today, given a number of distasteful socio-economic, political, and environmental matters. The country’s GDP growth has not been favourable, especially since the massive slump in the iron-ore world market and the closure of the Sierra Leone iron-ore mines, which export trade, had contributed to a favourable15% GDP growth in 2012. The outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease (EVD) in 2014, which plagued the country up until November 2015, presented major security concerns and gravely hindered Sierra Leone’s efforts to move forward with planned sustainable peace and development initiatives. So also, are the disastrous consequences of extreme weather events and climate change, such as flooding and mudslides 7 , due to natural causes or environmentally unfriendly human activities (e.g. deforestation, uncontrolled natural resources mining, including stone and beach sand mining) by women, men and children. Environmental issues are deepened by gender inequity and inequality, lack of environmental awareness and inadequate understanding of environmental resources management by women and men. Women continue to face marginalisation, increased vulnerability to Gender Based Violence (GBV) and sexual abuse as well as harassment, including in spaces controlled 5 5 Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission “Witness to Truth: Report of Sierra Leone Truth and Reconciliation Commission, volumes1-3”, 2004. 6 Ibid; UNICEF,” The impact of conflict on women and girls in West and Central Africa and the UNICEF response”, New York, 2009; UN Integrated Technical Assessment Mission Report to Sierra Leone in January 2013. 7 Mount Sugar Loaf landslide and flooding at Mortomeh, Regent, Western Area Rural and Urban ,Freetown, 14th August,2017;World Bank Group ,Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery, EU, UN and ACP publication ‘Sierra Leone: Rapid Assessment of August 14th,2017 Landslides and Floods in the Western Area 2017;UN Women August,2017,http://www.unwoen.org/en/news/stories/2017/8/news-sierra-leone-udslides- aking-sure-huanitarian aid-reaches-women by security forces. A number of customary practices still exist that deprive women/girls of their rights. For instance, under the paramount chieftaincy institutions in the Northern Region and some district in the Eastern Region, women are not entitled to become paramount chiefs. Another instances are those of child/or early and forced marriages, or female genital cutting/mutilation (FGC/FGM) that are allowed. Moreover, rates of Sexual and Gender Based violence-rape and/or sexual penetration of women/the girl child, are worryingly high, even in the current prevailing situation of ‘no gun war’ – ‘positive peace’. There was an alarming high prevalence of SGBV reported8during the period of grave insecurity prompted by the Ebola outbreak, in 2014. Prevention methods that included no physical contact without proper protection/avoid physical contact; ‘don’t touch’ – were broadcast to sensitise communities about one prevention technique they should adopt to avoid contracting EVD or spreading it But more teenage girls than before the period were made pregnant either by male household members or security agents responsible for enforcing quarantine!. Despite the many laws that exist in Sierra Leone to protect and ensure women’s/girls’ human rights, much remains to be accomplished in terms of implementation. These laws include the four Gender Justice Laws(2007-2009), which are the Domestic Violence Act(2007);Devolution of Estates Act(2007);Registration of Customary Marriages and Divorces Act(2007/2009);Sexual Offences Act(2012).The purpose of the Gender Justice Laws as a whole, is to protect women and girls from deeply rooted structural injustice, and improve the climate, for providing access to justice for them ,for their socio-economic empowerment ,and for reducing violation of their human rights at all levels(-cf Appendix1). The continuing unfortunate position of the women of Sierra Leone, is the claw back provisions of the basic law-the Sierra Leone 1991 Constitution Section 27(4)(d)&(e) allows for discrimination against women. Specifically, while Section 27(1) of the Constitution states that “No law shall make any provision that is discriminatory in itself or its effect”, Section 27(4)(d)&(e) allow for exceptions, stating that “ it shall not apply to any law that makes provision for adoption, marriage, burial, devolution of 6 property on death and customary law”. Advocacy by women-led CSOs/NGOs and male champions, mixed gender non-state organisations, for instance, over two decades and during the concluded Constitutional Review Commission (2015-2017), have called on the GoSL to repeal/ amend this women’s rights limiting section. The continuing low representation and participation of women in leadership and decision-making positions in the peacebuilding and development processes at all 8 YACAN Report “Increase Teenage Pregnancy in Fakunya Chiefdom, Moyamba District, Southern Province, Sierra Leone 2014; MSWGCA/SSL/UN Women/Oxfam Report on the multisector impact assessment of gender dimensions of the Ebla Virus Disease in Sierra Leone 2014 ’--------- levels in this country is exclusionary, a curtailment and infringement of women’s democratic rights. Despite the many challenges that Sierra Leonean women continue to confront, they have long been at the forefront of peace and security efforts during and after conflicts. The Truth and Reconciliation Commission recognised the “Significant role” women played in peace making following the civil war9 Moreover, and again in 2018, as was done in 2012, women mobilised and organised a Women’s Situation Room – a conflict prevention ,mediation and peace mechanism comprising a secretariat that trained local women and youth as election observers, a call centre and a pool of experts – to prevent potential conflicts and other threats to peaceful elections. Sierra Leone cannot fail to engage with the causes of increasing incidents and consequences of violence against women, which has long-term lingering impact on peacebuilding and development. In addition to the physical insecurity, VAW/G compounds the many challenges that women face in post-war/or at periods of general national electioneering process in Sierra Leone. These challenges aggravate their condition of extreme poverty, the weakening of their social networks and coping mechanisms that limit options for employment/ livelihood generation and persistent exclusion from political and decision-making structures. For example, the inability of many female survivors of violence to take advantage of the free quality education opportunity now in operation in the country, or employment opportunities and associated lost productivity impact on the ability to realise the SDGs. Furthermore, the principles of human security are not significantly being preserved/or experienced in Sierra Leone, since women, young adult women, and children continue to experience Sexual and Gender Based Violence as reported in the FSU published data 2017 & 201810 .It is noteworthy to cite a statement from the State House release of H.E. President Julius Maada Bio ‘s official declaration of a National Emergency on Rape and Sexual Violence that “ ------alarmingly ,the perpetrators were getting younger and their acts getting more violent and bestial”. The referenced police record testify to the fact that huge numbers of women, since the war, and to date, are unable to get protection from violence such as rape, sexual penetration, battering and other forms of violence like intimidation through secret 9 Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report, Volumes 2and 3, 2004. 10 Sierra Leone Police/Family Support Unit reported nearly 3,000 sexual assault cases 2018. societies or burning of houses. Such a situation is unfortunately contrary to ECOWAS action plan on women’s protection, which prescribes that member states should make special security arrangements to ensure that women are protected from harassment, intimidation and violence before, during and after elections. Responses to the guiding questions which served as one of the tools in gauging participants’ perspectives during the consultation workshops conducted to inform the design and development of SiLNAP II, showed that majority of community members, particularly women, have little or no confidence in formal and traditional justice systems. They usually prefer to seek help from civil society organizations, in the resolution of matters/trauma associated with VAW. It must be noted that there are a number of women who are survivors of violence, but, there are also women who are perpetrators of violence against their peers. This contributes to strengthening the attitude of men who are the power brokers in the country’s political landscape, causing them to be more reluctant to support women candidates for political activities/or nomination for party symbols during the electioneering process. This situation has created a general deep-seated fear and feeling of resignation by majority of women. It was learned that some women who have been courageous enough, and spurred on by their communities contested, the national elections as Independent Candidates in the March 2018 parliamentary elections. This was because of the good background of social work/business entrepreneurial activities that they were involved in within their communities. One such woman won and is a Member of the (fifth) Parliament (MP). Not only are women marginalised in elective, but also in appointive positions, even though the government is tending to redress this situation. The recent drive by the Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF) to recruit about 300 women only through national, regional, district and chiefdom level drives is a measure to redress the paucity of female officers in this security institution and scale up its equal 8 opportunity/institutional gender policy. This is commendable. The SLP has an affirmative policy in place with a female targeting mechanism. However, it emerged in discussions during a July 2018, consultation workshop, conducted under the UNDP project on the WPS Agenda, with Parliamentarians for scaling up support, and putting parliamentary weight behind the implementation of the WPS Agenda, that a recruitment of more police women only, could contribute significantly in the fight to prevent SGBV/protect women and girls. Victims/survivors will feel more confident to relate with a female officer than a male. However, there are not enough women to service, even the small numbers of FSUs. Since more female police officers would be needed for staffing, even the existing few FSUs, the SLP may want to apply a female targeting form of affirmative action recruitment measure. This would boost the institution’s gender responsive approach to delivering more effective police service in matters of VAWG/SGBV in rural areas/and peri-urban communities. His Excellency the President, on Thursday, 7th February 2019 officially declared a national Emergency on Rape and Sexual Violence, as a major step towards addressing rape and all forms of sexual violence in Sierra Leone. H.E. President Bio deserves huge accolade and appreciation for prompt response to and measures 11 established in stemming the persistent rising tide of this menace and eventually preventing its occurrence. It is worth noting that the lack of a rapid and effective government response to recent incidents of political violence is fueling a culture of impunity, rumour-mongering and fear that forthcoming bye elections and the 2023 election could spark a return to organized violence. There are increased fears of reversal of previous peacebuilding gains which therefore calls for attention. Although there were various actors working on peacebuilding and conflict prevention agendas across the country, it is agreed that collaboration is essential for more holistic and sustainable approaches to peace. Engaging stakeholders at all levels, in improving women’s political participation as peacebuilding ambassadors, particularly at community level, is a way to go. Furthermore, promoting conflict prevention, mediation, conflict resolution and a peacebuilding culture that fully integrates women’s rights and gender equality principles through a localisation strategy, working with Local Councils 9 in 6 collaboration and coordination with Chiefdom Councils will strategically help and facilitate community level social integration, sustainable peacebuilding and long term stability actions. A number of initiatives have recently been implemented /or ongoing that resonate with the above strategy. UN Women has trained 103 (63 women and 37 men) peace Ambassadors and gender activists on peace building, conflict prevention and management and Human Right who are working in communities promoting social cohesion and peacebuilding in various communities. Similarly, the National Organisation for Women(SL)/Global Network of Women Peacebuilders(SL) has trained 75 women peacebuilding Ambassadors, in three communities mapped as high election violence hot spots, enabling them to organise for change within their communities through the creation of Village/Community 11 Press Release, State House, Freetown, Sierra Leone,Thursday,7,February 2019. Saving Loans Associations.Furthermore,60 Young Adults (age range,17-35years,32 females and 28 males) in the same three communities have been trained as Ambassadors for Peace to raise awareness and conscientise on UNSCRs 1325 and 1820/WPS Agenda, including linkage to Youth, Peace and Security(UN Security Council Resolution 2250);with the literate youths among the trainees currently facilitating adult literacy classes and promoting peacebuilding and non-violence behaviour in their communities. Also the Youth Ambassadors advocate for prevention of electoral violence, growing a culture of peace, with peacebuilding messages being disseminated in songs and dance (with assistance from Peoples Education Association (PEA) and Tabule Theatre Director). These initiatives received funding support through UNDP, from the PBF. On the 14th February, 2019, the Sierra Leone Parliament passed the resolution tabled by the President of the Female Parliamentary Caucus on the Women, Peace and Security Agenda to give a strong push to the Agenda’s implementation in Sierra Leone. The resolution emphasised the issues of continuing discrimination against women in employment in public institutions, and SGBV, with strategies to prevent and protect women/girls. The MPs called on Government, Local Councils, RSLAF Leadership/Ministry of Defence, Attorney General’s Department and Minister of Justice, Minister of Finance12among others include to establish an Inter-Ministerial Committee on gender equality and women’s empowerment, and WPS issues to ensure high level attention is given to these issues and action is coordinated across all critical departments; the Ministry of Finance is called upon to work with the Gender Directorate of the MSWGCA, to undertake a gender audit of the budget that will be submitted to Parliament; as well as strongly encouraging the government to intensify the WPS Localisation process. MPs in the resolution, have committed as individuals and committee members to use parliamentary processes and advocacy to promote law reform in support of gender equality and women’s peace and security. Accordingly they resolved, that they will, among other specifics13push for amendment10 of section(4)(d)&(e) of the 1991 constitution which allows for discrimination against women and build on the localisation Guidelines under SiLNAP to identify approaches for working in our constituencies with local level bodies and chiefdoms to discuss and address key issues around WPS. They will use the powers of the Finance Committee and relevant sectoral committees to closely examine the national budget in order to assess the existing allocations to gender equality and specifically, towards implementation of the next SiLNAP (SiLNAP II). 12 Sierra Leone Parliament, Tower Hill, Freetown, Women Caucus & the Members of Parliament of Sierra Leone, Resolution on the Women, Peace And Security Agenda, tabled and passed on Thursday, 14 February, 2019. 13 Ibid, idem, Footnote 12

1.1.3. Alignment of National, Regional and International Policies and Framework The SiLNAP was crafted as a means of domesticating UNSCRs 1325 and 1820 declared by the UN in 2000 and 2008 respectively. These resolutions were passed to address the atrocities wreaked on women during the conflicts that were raging at the time in most parts of Africa south of the Sahara in terms of sexual violence and the low participation of women in development and peace processes. Resolution 1325 has four main pillars – participation of women, prevention of violence against women, protection of women and girls from gender based violence especially rape and other forms of sexual violence and prosecution of perpetrators of such crimes. (cf details at pg.8) The first generation of the SiLNAP crafted in 2009 and evaluated in 2015, added one more pillar to the above global structure – Coordination and Monitoring. The second generation of the SiLNAP was crafted in 2018 after comprehensive and inclusive nationwide regional consultations with a wide spectrum of stakeholders drawn from the districts and chiefdoms. In view of the need to continue the domestication of UNSCRs 1325 and 1820, using the Localisation strategic approach the provisions addressed in the various instruments aforementioned were taken fully on board Therefore the agreed pillars of the new SiLNAP, based on the priorities identified at the national/regional/chiefdom consultations, are to be addressed using the Localisation strategic approach . The agreed pillars are:- • Pillar 1: Prevention of conflict in communities and addressing the roots causes at all levels; • Pillar2: Protection and support of women, girls, and SGBV survivors and other vulnerable persons; • Pillar3: Prosecute and punish perpetrators of SGBV effectively and safeguard women’s adolescents’ and girls’ rights at all times as well as rehabilitate perpetrators; • Pillar4: Participation and representation of women in leadership at all levels of decision making in peace building and development processes; • Pillar5: Promote peace culture and empower communities to generate and sustain their own well-being, environmental security and early response to health emergencies (Human Security Perspectives); • Pillar6: Promote effective implementation, monitoring, evaluation, coordination, and reporting of the Sierra Leone National Action Plan. SiLNAP II is aligned to national priorities as contained in the following documents: • The National Gender Strategic Plan (NGSP); • The draft Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) Policy; • Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan, 2019-2023-Cluster 5: Empowering Women, Children, and Persons with Disability. Some of these national priorities which are subscribed in the SiLNAP include the call to strengthen and/or reform legal policy, and legal and institutional capacities to enhance gender equality and women’s empowerment, support women’s economic empowerment through increasing women’s access to financial and agricultural services. Also, the issue of low women’s participation and representation runs across as this is a thorny issue, as not much progress has been made at all levels. There are still very few women M.Ps, very few Village Female Heads (Headwomen) compared to the high numbers of Headmen in the Western Area Rural District to cite a few examples. Luckily, the Female Caucus in Parliament has been engaged and during a consultation from 12- 13 July, 2018, with all members of parliament, under a global UNDP project. ‘The Role of Parliaments as Partners in Women, Peace and Security’ implemented in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Parliament, the Hon. Speaker made a commitment to support the application of the spirit of 1325 and provisions of the WPS Agenda by active support to the implementation of SiLNAP. Some new areas have been included in the current SiLNAP, like response to health and other emergencies; the call for establishment of a forensic laboratory for more speedy trials and more effective prosecution of SGBV cases. The SiLNAP has captured some of the critical issues identified in the Sierra Leone context analysis, such as sexual and gender-based violence and access to land and property, with focus on rape of young women/girls ,or sexual penetration of minors including babies, and rural women (ref. to UNCEDAW, Art. 12 – Rural Women). The need to make a closer link between gender inequality and women’s poverty and lack of women’s empowerment through the pillar on empowering communities to 12 generate and sustain their own well-being should be in constant focus during SiLNAP II 6 implementation. Also, the issue of the communities at chiefdom and village levels in reducing violence against women and girls (VAWG) is captured under ‘Undertaking social mobilization at community level to reduce tolerance and social acceptance of VAWG.’ Implementation of SiLNAP II will mostly apply a continuing and strengthened localisation strategy using the Localisation Guidelines jointly developed by the Ministry of Local Government & Rural Development (MLGRD )and MSWGCA with technical support of GNWP(Headquarters-New York)and NOW(SL) and funding from Folke Bernadotte. The Localisation strategy is a people-based approach premised on the rationale that local ownership and participation enables more effective policy action taking. The importance of the Localisation strategy is recognised and highlighted by the UN Secretary-General who has stated that it is “a key tool for translating policy into practice”14 13 14 UN Security Council Report of the Secretary-General onWPS,29Sept.2016,S/2016/822

2.0. Elaboration of the Sierra Leone National Action Plan (SiLNAP II ) for the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolutions 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) – SiLNAP II (2019- 2023) The Sierra Leone National Action Plan II for the full implementation of UNSCRs 1325 and 1820 (2019-2023) is the second generation/ follow-on to the first SiLNAP (2010-2014), SiLNAP I. In order to develop a high impact SiLNAP, effort was made to create ownership of the design and formulation, by conducting a comprehensive and inclusive participatory process, involving a wide spectrum of stakeholders and actors, which is the essential ingredients, through the stages highlighted below:

2.1. Setting the Stage in the Process of Developing the Sierra Leone National Action Plan II The prompt evaluation of SiLNAP I which expired in December 2014 was delayed due to the outbreak of the Ebola Virus Disease in Sierra Leone in 2014. The evaluation was conducted between November 2015 and April 2016 by a national Consultant and facilitated by delegated members of the National Steering Committee for the full implementation (NSC) of SiLNAP. The task was funded by UNWOMEN. The Evaluation Report highlighted key discriminations against women/girls in Sierra Leone and made a variety of recommendations for the review of the National Action Plan. The NSC met to initiate the review and the writing/drafting of Sierra Leone National Action Plan II. On the 12th May 2017, the MSWGCA met with partners, presented the evaluation report, and expressed the need for support to review and develop the second generation of SiLNAP.

2.2. Resource Mobilisation for the Crafting of SiLNAP II The MSWGCA with active inputs from the National Steering Committee developed a final concept note and budget for donor assistance. The project proposal was submitted to the Peacebuilding Fund through UNWOMEN and was finally approved for funding, thereby enabling the crafting process of SiLNAP II. 14 6

2.3 Commissioning of the Crafting of SiLNAP II The process was given visibility and its awareness raised in a commissioning and launch event officially performed on the 7thAugust, 2018, by the Minister of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs. The commissioning and launch served as a public awareness raising activity that informed the wider public and key stakeholders of the development of a second generation of SiLNAP and key activities that the process entailed were highlighted. The SiLNAP II was commissioned concurrently with the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Policy (GEWE) which was started in 2014, since the two frameworks pursue the same goal, albeit from different starting points. It is essential that these two instruments are in sync on women’s human rights, participation and representation, as well as advancement issues, at all levels and in all fields of endeavour. Participants were drawn from among the Parliamentarians, MDAs, INGOs, CSOs, UN Agencies, Donor Partners and the media.

2.4. SiLNAP II Writers’ Orientation and Refresher Workshop A two day orientation and capacity strengthening/refresher workshop was conducted for NSC members. The sessions presented and discussed themes primarily on UNSCRs 1325, 1820 and the subsequent sister resolutions; SiLNAP contents, key successes, challenges and gaps in SiLNAP Implementation by/with national Government/ relevant MDAs especially MLG&RD and Local Councils, Paramount Chiefs, Women-led CSOs, CBOs, Mixed NGOs, UN Agencies, findings of SiLNAP I evaluation; writing a high impact SiLNAP II, and M & E Indicators. The sessions were resourced and/facilitated by the Director of Gender and staff members of MSWGCA, Programme Specialists from UNWOMEN, the Gender Specialist UNDP, and Coordinator NOW(SL)/GNWP(SL). Participants were members of all the constituent institutions, organizations and line ministries working on women, peace and security issues. The workshop provided participants, with a thorough theoretical and practical knowledge and understanding of SiLNAP I development process and implementation. Also it served as a planning meeting for the subsequent regional/district/chiefdom consultations in all the five regions of the country. At the end of the workshop, five crafting teams, each with a Team lead/ Writer and Rapporteur, and an overall Writing Lead/Coordinator were set up. 15 6

2.5 Regional Stakeholder Consultations Regional consultations were conducted on the 5thSeptember, 2018 in the five regions on the development of SiLNAP II. Participants were drawn from the districts and chiefdoms of the respective regions and headquarter towns. The 50 participants included Paramount Chiefs, Town and/or Section Chiefs, Mammy Queens, Soweis, Local Council officers –Chief Administrators/ Development Planning Officers, M & E Officers and Gender Officers-, CSOs, CBOs working on Peace and Security issues, Officers from SLP/FSU, Correctional Centre, ONS/PROSEC, DISEC, MDAs – Agriculture and Fisheries, Health, Customs, Trade and Industries, UNWOMEN, UNDP and UNESCO. The sessions were facilitated through presentations on UNSCRs 1325, 1820 and SiLNAP I. Participants worked in groups and responded to guiding questions,(developed by the crafting team with inputs from other members of NSC) and reflected on SiLNAP I implementation,; highlighted gaps and challenges and analysed women, peace and security matters/issues; identified, through ranking, priority WPS issues and emerging concerns/needs, that are of greatest interest/germane to their regions/districts/chiefdoms. Based on the group analysis and recommendations, the participants identified and provided priority issues, specific objectives, strategies, actions/activities, and indicators/means of verification, partners and time frame that informed and enabled writers to design/draft SiLNAP II.

2.6. Writers Retreat A three day Writer’s retreat was held from the 25th – 27th September, 2018 at a quiet Mama Beach resort, to examine collated outcomes of the regional consultations, and consolidate/composite these responses from the five regions and through further deliberations in groups and plenary a SiLNAP II zero draft was designed for subsequent careful examination and refinement of inputs by the Overall Lead Writer develop the SiLNAP. The Overall Lead Writer facilitated the Session, at which the various regional Lead presented the collated outcomes of the engagements with the respective regional, district and chiefdom stakeholders on implementation of the WPS Agenda based on their understanding of SiLNAP/UNSCRs 1325 and 1820 including perspectives, concerns and needs as related to WPS issues in their communities. Through facilitated and group work sessions the Writers consolidated the regional, district and chiefdom outputs and developed a zero draft composite National Action Plan Matrix. The matrix consist of six pillars, each with a 16 Goal, Strategic Objective/Outcomes, Objective Outputs, Actions/Activities, 6 Smart Indicators, Time frames, and Responsible partners. Also, the Writing Team agreed on a Table of Contents, and team members responsible to contribute inputs to the contents of the narrative sections of SiLNAP II.

2.7. Debrief Session with all National Steering Committee Members The Writers Team held a debriefing session, on the 18th October, for members of the National Steering Committee and including the Consultant M&E Specialist to examine the Zero Draft Plan Matrix produced as a deliverable of the Writers’ Workshop retreat. Their comments and inputs were received to refine and produce a first draft by the Overall Lead Writer. The first draft was taken to the regions for validation.

2.8. Monitoring and Evaluation Framework Development To successfully implement a National Action Plan, the Plan needs to include smart indicators and logical results framework for its monitoring and evaluation. Thus, the MSWGCA and the National Steering Committee held a two day work from 1st – 2nd November, 2018 to set smart indicators, targets and develop the M&E framework for the SiLNAP II. The workshop which was resourced by the M&E Consultant brought together NSC members, Government Line Ministries, UN Agencies, and other NGOs/CSOs with relevant mandates.

2.9. Regional Stakeholders Validations Regional validations were held in all the five regions, on the 22ndNovember, 2018 at which Zero draft SiLNAP II Matrix was presented for comments to ascertain whether or not, issues and relevant proposals of objectives/strategies/activities made at the Consultations were captured in the draft. The same participants at the initial consultations attended the validation.

2.10. A Rapid Assessment Survey based on a series of Guiding Questions and Mapping Questionnaire The engagement and consultations workshops with a wide array of about 50 stakeholders and actors in each of the 5 regions including their districts and some chiefdom were undertaken. A series of guiding questions as assessment tool was applied for the group work tasks following the thematic sessions on UNSCRs 1325 &1820, SiLNAP implementation, and evaluation. Participant responses provided some insights into organisational/institutional/ collective perspectives/knowledge/understanding of: 17 6 • UNSCRs 1325 and 1820, SiLNAP and nexus with gender equality and development; • Security, safety ideas, concerns, issues and needs including sustainable peace; • Security sectors ’structures, mechanisms, measures for service delivery, women’s participation and involvement in security structures at community level; • Violence Against Women, Gender Based Violence/Sexual and Gender Based Violence including Prevention, Protection actions/activities and Prosecution of perpetrators by the SLP/FSU; • Governance, women’s participation and representation in leadership and decision-making positions at local/community levels; • Environment and natural resources management, and natural disasters as well as health emergencies occurrences at regional, district and chiefdom levels; • Economic and social services for women at community level, including access to ownership of land and financial inclusion, nature and degree of interventions/actions within the WPS Agenda that organizations/institutions have carried out/or ongoing or wanted to continue with. Knowledge of the existence of UNSCRs 1325, 1820 and SiLNAP • Awareness and knowledge of the existence of these instruments by participants averaged about 80% in some regions and about 60% in others. • Level of knowledge of SiLNAP ranges from low to fair – with 60% and 40% as fair and low respectively; • The implementation of SiLNAP is happening, but a lot of people did not appear to make the connections with security sector work, • Participants showed satisfactory awareness, knowledge and understanding of security; • About 90% in all regions acknowledge that men and women have different security needs; • On the question of specific security needs of women, men, boys and girls, organisations/institutions indicated that gender is used as the approach in their activities, especially to raise awareness and sensitize communities, on prevention of GBV, protection, gender equality women’s inclusion and women’s/girls’ rights; • More collaboration with FSU and social services of the local councils and MSWGCA so as to pursue more SGBV cases, support victims and clarify roles between traditional authorities and SLP/FSU; • Clear understanding of traditional practices , women’s status and the18new national land policy is needed; 6 • Gender issues are integrated into local Development Plans by councils, but some officers have not clearly connected service delivery in SGBV matters to development service. • Civil Society Organizations including women led – CSOs and CBOs are undertaking activities in prevention and ending impunity fueled by traditional/customary practices in the issues of forced, girl child marriage and teenage pregnancy. The responses to the guiding questions which sought information directly from participants revealed the trends of knowledge, attitude and practice in the various regions, challenges, gaps, and what more needs to be done in the prevailing and emerging WPS areas. The lessons of Ebola and consequences of the disastrous landslide and floods have shown the need to focus also on addressing sudden security threats, as emerging challenges under health, hygiene, sanitation and economic empowerment in SiLNAP II.

2.10. Costing of SiLNAP II The costing of the Plan for accountability and sustainability during implementation of the NAP is essential and critical. Costing was done for each activity in the plan.

2.11. Printing and Launch of the Second Generation of SiLNAP The final SiLNAP II was printed and launched during national Conference on the establishment of the Peace and National Cohesion at Bintumani Conference Hall on the 23rd May 2019. The launch was done by His Excellency, Brigadier Rtd. Julius Maada Bio. It was a National Programme wherein participants were drawn from across the country especially, included those who had been engaged and involved since the start of the formulation process.

3.0. The Sierra Leone National Action Plan (SiLNAP II) The Sierra Leone 1991 Constitution enshrines the principles of gender equality, the dignity and rights of men and women and non-discrimination. In Sierra Leone, devastating and extreme forms of abuse and violence were widely experienced during the conflict years of 1991-2002.Although all civilians suffered the atrocities of the war, the greater majority of those most adversely afflicted including as refugees and internally displaced were women and girls. Even in these post war period of prevailing positive peace, peace building and reconciliation initiatives, Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV), 19 Violence against Women and Girls (VAWG), persist. Sexual penetration and rape 6 is occurring at an alarming frequency, and including, incidences of bestial violations of babies. Almost daily, newspapers report incidence of sexual penetration of female children, including babies as young as three months, in various communities-urban and rural. The indications from daily media reports are that Sexual Violence against females-older women, young adult women/girls and children is increasing with despicable impunity. The perpetrators, it appears from news coverage nowadays, include more young men. The Ministry of Health and the Pharmacy Agency have reported the widespread abuse of the painkiller drug Tramadol, a hallucinogenic, among youth. Females experience of war is different from that of males. The differentiated special situation of women, are not to be recognized and addressed from the perspective of victims only, but also needs to be addressed from the perspective of contributors either as willing or forced combatants, and peace builders whose experiences must be fully utilised for shaping our communities in all initiatives to achieve enduring peace and foster development . Women's experiences in the Sierra Leone war and their roles and contributions brought resolution 1325 in to practice, even though their engagement in conflict prevention and resolution are not widely recognised and valued, particularly at community levels. In the Sierra Leone Parliament, of 146 members, women account for only 12 percent. Women need to be actively represented at all decision-making levels in all the areas of peacebuilding, post conflict and development processes as leaders and change agents at all levels. Thus, the Government jointly with other Development Partners, particularly Civil Society Organizations in-country, initiated intensified action since May 2018 towards the development of the second generation of Sierra Leone National Action Plan (SiLNAP II) for the full implementation of UNSCRs 1325 on Women, Peace and Security. Also the SILNAP II includes elements of resolution 1820 that builds on 1325, offering a stronger policy strategy than 1325 for the protection of women and girls against conflict-related sexual violence. It affirms that effective steps to prevent and respond to such acts of sexual violence can significantly contribute to the maintenance of peace and security. The full implementation of the SiLNAP will allow the application of the gender approach in especially related institutional reforms, strategic policies and plans at national and sectoral levels to prevent and respond to the imperative of improving women’s participation and representation in governance and protection of women including adolescents and girls and respect for their rights at all levels. The SiLNAP II has been elaborated on the context of Sierra Leone and the priority issues that emerged from especially the consultations held at regional/district levels with a wide spectrum of actors from all levels including the chiefdoms. 20 It is in alignment with the National Gender Strategic Plan (NGSP), and the Medium 6 Term National Development Plan (2019-2023) - especially Cluster Five– ‘Empower women, children and disability’.

3.1. Vision A resilient nation where communities are secured, the members co-exist peacefully, irrespective of their diverse socio-cultural, religious and political inclinations, women’s, adolescent and girls’ rights upheld, and they actively realise the benefits of the full tenets and provisions of UNSCR 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) and related sister resolutions with support, also, of male champions.

3.2. Mission Government of Sierra Leone, through the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender coordinate with other relevant MDAs, CSOs, the UN Agencies and other development partners and with commitment as well as accountability work for the full implementation of SiLNAP II, through a strengthened localisation strategy. 21 6

3.3. National Action Plan Matrix The SiLNAP is a five year (2018-2023) dynamic implementation plan, encompassing both the UNSCR 1325 (2000) and major components of 1820 (2008), designed and developed around six pillars: The pillars are the identified overall Strategic objectives as follows: Pillar 1: Prevention of conflict in communities and addressing the root causes at all levels. Outcomes Objective(s): Contribute to achieving reduced conflict in Communities and addressing their root causes at all levels Output Objectives Strategies Specific Indicators Primary Other Financial Timeline for Activities stakeholders partners allocation completion

1.1 Communities’ Ensuring the .-Harmonise/ - MSWGCA, Law Women’s 30,000 2019 stakeholders’ establishment and align the relevant Inconsistency Reform Commission Organisations, commitment to approval and provisions of and between and Justice/ AG’s Male Champion promoting implementation of remove provisions Office, MPs-Female CSO groups peaceful bye-laws that seek inconsistency removed; Caucus, Judiciary, ,IRC,UN coexistence by to prevent between the Child Human Rights and Women, UNDP addressing the VAW/GBV and Rights Act and the Social Welfare root causes of protect women, Registration of Oversight conflict at girls and adolescent Customary Committees-), Local community level youth, and Marriage and Councils/Traditional increased/strengt vulnerable persons; Divorce Act with Authorities. hened respect to age of -Parliamentary marriage. -Finance Oversight Finance Oversight -Allocation to Committee ,Social Committee GE and WPS Welfare, Human examination and in existing Rights and relevant assessing existing National other Parliamentary national budget Budget,% Oversight allocation to GE and allocated, and Committees specifically to adequacy of SiLNAP allocation. implementation. 22

1.2 Policies’ Dissemination of -Develop # of Jingles MSWGCA- Women’s 465,000 2019 mechanisms and simplified version messages in developed;# Regional/District/Chi Organisations, procedures for of SiLNAP and jingles and local of slots/times efdom Steering UNESCO,UN prevention of localization languages to be messages Committees, MPs Women conflicts and how guidelines disseminated by aired PROSEC/DISEC/CHS Development to address the air, by EC, Local Councils, Partners, NGOs root causes Village/Communi -#of theatres Local instituted at ty criers; /drama Authorities/PCs/MLG community levels -publicize sessions and RD through pictorial # of flyers; communities - organize where community organized; theatre and radio # of barray drama for sessions message and/or radio dissemination ; panel - Organize radio discussions programmes held panel discussion and Town Hall/ community Barray style meetings.

1.3 Contributions by - Awareness -Conduct # of MSWGCA-Steering CSOs, NGOs, 650,000 2019-2023 stakeholders in raising and trainings for community Committees on WPS, Development communities to training on community stakeholders- Community Advocacy Partners finding solutions women’s/girls’ stakeholders male and and Social Welfare to women’s and Peace and including women female Groups, MLGRD, girls’ peace and Security issues themselves on trained and Local Councils, security issues, - Localization of WPS issues, enabled in Chiefdom Councils enhanced. SiLNAP structural supporting UNWOMEN,UNDP barriers that women UNICEF,MPs 23 - Advocacy for impede women’s overcome and education enjoyment of barriers-e.g., on sustaining political rights access peace and active education ,life -DiTTO- DITTO -Engaging in local participation in skills, and awareness raising decision-making. participating and constituency Provide/enable actively in education activities women to have community building support groups; level decision- understanding of -Educate and making, and the value of WPS train local recognizing and gender councils and women’s equality provide refresher ideas seminars on Localization guidelines of SiLNAP and its monitoring 2019-2020 framework. -Hold community dialogue fora on benefits of peaceful coexistence/socia l cohesion, including Women’s advocacy on the NGOs/CSOs/CBOs/M implementation ixed Peace and As above of the remaining Development TRC Organisations, recommendations MBSSE, MTHE. on women and girls. 24 Pillar 2: Protection and support of women, girls, SGBV Survivors and other Vulnerable Persons Outcome Objective(s): To protect women, girls and other persons vulnerable from, SGBV and promote human dignity and equality. Output Objectives Strategies Specific Activities Indicators Primary Other Financial Timeline stakehold partners allocatio for ers n completi on

2.1 Mechanisms - Strictly enforcing -Hold meetings with #of meetings held; CBOs/CSOs UNWOME 515,000 2019- undertaken to community bye-laws on stakeholders to raise #of cases reported, , MSWGCA, N,UNDP,U 2023 ensure women, girls SGBV, by engaging awareness, and follow up charged with FSU, NICEF, and other National, Regional and key on community monitoring satisfactory Rainbo Partners, vulnerable groups Community stakeholders – of the implementation of outcome/conviction; Initiative, NGOs are protected from Traditional leaders, bye laws and gender #of satisfactory Parliament SGBV and their parents, local Authorities, justice laws; response/assistance ary dignity enhanced. including the Police/ FSU -Follow up cases to ensure to victims in order to Oversight on enforcing compliance , punitive measures on GBV pursue matter to the Committee,

2.2 Lower rates of effective application of the are effected; end. Female Violence against four Gender Justice laws -Conduct dialogue with -#of articles Caucus, Women/Gender and for authorities to local councils and published/or trends Local Based Violence at forward cases of SGBV to Traditional Authorities in the print media on Authorities national level are the law. and FSU on application of SGBV; Local Council’s , Women’s achieved. WPS Localisation Strategy Reports/Local Organisatio Guidelines; Councils ns Development Plans - Establishing and equipping -Mobilise, provide funding #of safe homes safe homes in all sixteen and undertake necessary operational

2.3 Sexual and Gender- districts; tasks; # of M&E conducted Based - Creation of Female Monitor and Evaluate the on available safe Violence/Violence Advocacy Groups at work done. homes Against Women in Chiefdom Levels; 25 communities - Establishment of a toll free reduced by 2023. line to report incidences of GBV/VAW. - Creation of more consistent electronic data base on the outcomes of reported VAW/SGBV cases.

2.4 Teenage Pregnancy - Engage in media and Hold dialogue sessions # of dialogue MSWGCA, Women- 825,000 2019- in Local Communities public lobby and with key communities’ sessions held; % of MPs- led NGOs, 2023 reduced advocacy sensitization/ stakeholders ,including parents and Female CSOs, conscientisation and traditional leaders, male traditional Caucus, UNICEF education and training on champions, parents, authorities involved. Teenagers, , IRC. UN ending VAW, SGBV, especially fathers and -Amended Child and Male Women including particularly, teenagers ; Rights Act Champions forced/ early girl child -Fast track the adoption of , Women- marriage, promoting the amendment to the led CBOs, SRHR focusing on Child Rights Act(2007) to # of training sessions CSOs, Traditional Leaders, make it consistent with and # of girls Parents/M Parents, especially the Registration of reached., others’ Fathers. Customary Marriage and Clubs, - Perpetrators on jail term Divorce Act(2009); Traditional should in no way qualify -Conduct training sessions Authorities for Presidential pardon; on life skills for girls in , MBSSE, - Promotion and formal and non-formal MTI, MoHS facilitation of Livelihood school systems using the # of skills trainings support to families national life skills Facilitated/supporte - Engaging National, manuals; d 2019- Regional and -Establish Adolescent MSWGCA, 2023 communities Youth Friendly Centres at Developme stakeholders on FGM/C. local community levels to nt NGOs/CS aid localities to reduce Partners; Os teenage/early girl child pregnancy 26 -Provide livelihood skills # of persons - Revisiting and engaging trainings in the ,particularly women 2019- communities to reflect on agriculture ,and other actively involved in CSOs/NGO 2023 traditional practices and sectors; VSLAs; Case s; beliefs, especially, on -Conduct IEC for women’s Study/Report what UNWOMEN traditional view of groups on mobilizing immediate benefits/ ; adolescent girls, puberty, income through immediate impact UNDP,FAO; Sexual and Reproductive engagement in realised through MTI, Health and Rights and on Microfinance schemes ,e.g. VSLAs ready loans. USAID;CAR the negative Village Savings and Loan E consequences of teenage- Associations pregnancy. Assessment of - Advocacy on free -Conduct traditional view; medical treatment for all dialogue/IE/reflection Extent of SGBV survivors meeting with key appreciation of community members, appropriate SRHRs MPs including traditional and negative Women’s authorities, parent’s consequences of CSOs, teenage girls and young Teenage pregnancy; MSWGCA, adults to assess their % of early marriage MLGRD, traditional view on stopped. Local puberty, sexual and #of monitoring and Councils, reproductive, health evaluation exercises Chiefdom rights and conducted on the Councils, responsibilities. free health care UN services provided for Women, survivors in the 16 UNDP, Conduct research on the districts UNFPA access in the 16 districts. 27 Pillar 3: Prosecute, punish perpetrators of SGBV effectively and rehabilitate them, and safeguarding women’s, young adults’ and girls’ human rights at all times. Outcome Objective(s): Contribute to increased conviction of perpetrators and promotion of women’s, young adults’ and girls’ rights. Output Objectives Strategies Specific Activities Indicators Primary Other Financial Time Stakeholder partners Allocation for s comple tion

3.1 Policies and mechanisms to -Sentencing perpetrators -Stakeholders at # of SGBV SLP/FSU, NGOs, 920,000 2019- protect Women, adolescent to serve maximum community levels, perpetrators MoJ, Bilateral 2023 young adults and girls penalties/jail terms; particularly, women-led sentenced to MSWGCA &Multilat from SGBV improved and - Following up convicted CSOs/CBOs collaborate maximum ,Women’s eral operated , their rights perpetrators and with Youth/Girls serving terms/or jailed Organisation Partners recognised , perpetrators involving them in Agencies and male for life; s, Male are effectively being relevant counselling and champions undertake champion punished and impunity reformative life advocacy campaigns using groups strongly deterred by the skills/psychosocial multiple channels of end of 2023 skills; communications; #of inmates -Improving witness - MSWGCA &Women’s provided with protection system ; organisations engage the counselling -Discouraging the Sierra Leone Correctional service/or other Sierra Leone 2019- culture of silence in Services to provide means ; Correctional 2023 matters of SGBV, and effective services of such Service, FSU/Justice sector types to their clients; Women’s authorities strictly -Local Councils and #of SGBV NGOs, maintaining MSWGCA to support and victims assisted MSWGCA, confidentiality code in provide transportation by local councils Local respect of informants. allowance/refunds to to report and Councils, witness and victims, attend court Community thereby enable them to sittings Stakeholders report at nearest FSU and , FSU & subsequently attend court Justice Sector sessions. 28

3.2 Institutions and other Reviewing the Gender MSWGCA in partnership # of MSWGCA, NGOs 425,000 2019- justice sector mechanisms Justice Laws and with the Justice Sector participants, Justice /CSOs, 2023 commitment to protect addressing conflicting including FSU organise including legal Sector, MPs, Women- women, adolescents and girls clauses and/or dialogue and trainings for practitioners, Law reform led CSOs, from, and respond to VAW magnitude of sentences- key stakeholders including FSU, Social Commission, /CBOs and sexual violence offences. reviewing maximum legal practitioners on the Workers trained ,Bilateral penalty to 20 years gender justice laws. on/provided Multilate -Applying the Life with gender ral-e.g Imprisonment penalty justices; Irish Aid, in the case of sexual UNICEF, penetration of Minors; -Conduct Parliamentary -# of/adequacy UNWOM outreach programme to of penalty EN. Institutions/and CSOs communities-taking the applied; MPs- Female UNDP, engaging MPs to use parliament to the people Parliamentar UNESCO their oversight roles in activity; y Caucus, ensuring enforcement of #of forums held MSWGCA, -Ditto- laws with regard to and #of MLGRD, VAW/GBV; pictorial IEC Human flyers Rights - Continuing distributed; Commission, popularisation of CSOs Gender Justice laws at -Hold IEC forums at community level; community levels on their uses. MLGRD, - Justice Department/AG Local expediting review and Councils/Cou approval of relevant ncil of bye-laws submitted by Monitor the approval rate % of bye-laws PCs/Council PCs, Mayors/ Village of bye-laws already on the approved of Village Head Persons; table of the Attorney Heads; Consistently General for approval MPs/Female expediting the in2018 Caucus/Parli allocation of Judges to amentary 2019- serve District courts; 2023 29 - Facilitating and MSWGCA to furnish, equip Seek Oversight supporting the training and properly staff already information on Committee of women as court built Safe Home in Makeni; this activity and monitors; and construct, and equip monitor MSWGCA homes in the other districts progress - Constructing and nationwide. furnishing Safe Homes.

3.3 Processes and laboratory Establishing forensic MSWGCA hold # of meetings MoHS Develop 1,200,000 2019 analytical facilities to enable laboratories for DNA consultations with MOHS and progress on ment speedy trials, especially in test and the Justice Sector about in-country DNA Partners, cases of rape and sexual In all regional/district the setting up of DNA test testing service; penetration improved. hospitals. facilities including training #of SGBV of medical laboratory staff. conviction made possible - Organise representation TRC follow up CSOs, Human NGOs; 60,000 2019

3.4 Advocacy outreach to Lobbying and advocating &Hold advocacy meetings Committee Rights Bilateral Government to implement for the setting up of the with government and the established. Commission agencies, the remaining TRC follow up committee Human Rights Commission UN recommendations, on on the matter -# of joint Agencies women and girls, in the -Collaborative activities activities Women’s TRC report conducted. with the Media ,in organised to organization 2019- particular WIMSAL in foster women, s 2023 conducting advocacy on peace and ,UNESCO,WI WPS issues security agenda MSAL, UN in Sierra Leone Women 30 Pillar 4: Participation and representation of, women, in leadership at all levels of decision-making, in peacebuilding and development processes. Outcome Objective(s): Contribute to increased women’s meaningful participation and representation in decision-making in all sectors, and at all levels. Output Objectives Strategies Specific Activities Indicators Primary Other Financial Time Stakeholders partner Allocation for s comple tion

4.1 Minimum of 30% - Lobbying and -Organise advocacy -# of advocacy MSWGCA PPRC, 295,000 2019 women’s active advocating at meetings with government engagements/ ,Parliament/Fe APPWA, participation and government and line ministries and political meetings held with male Caucus Male representation in political parties parties on WPS Agenda, institutions on and key Champi decision-making positions levels; gender equality/meaningful becoming gender parliamentary ons UN at all levels, especially, in women inclusive policy and sensitive and Oversight Women peacebuilding, and facilitate/disseminate the applying gender Committees, , UNDP governance institutions He4She campaign; parity approach; MTI, MPPA, moved towards/or -# of male Women’s CSOs attained by 2023 - Reforming -Parliamentarians to push champion groups institutional policies for the amendment of that support MSWGCA, 2019- ,including Section 27(4)(d)&(e) of the women’s Council of 2023 cultural/traditional 1991 Constitution ,through empowerment Paramount institutions to Private Members Bill by established and Chiefs, Female embrace the Female MP / at a Question trained in the 16 PCs, minimum 30% quota Time to AG; on the status of districts; Parliamentary in line with CEDAW; the Constitutional review -Availability of Female process so as to speed it up PMB; Caucus, -Organise exchange visits on -Availability of Women-led best practices among Question asked in CSOs/CBOs, chiefdoms with female PCs parliament on the Male champion and MPs, and those with less issue; groups; 2019- gender sensitivity; 2023 31 -Continuing advocacy at -Engage PPRC in advocacy -Availability of the MSWGCA,ONS SSIs to intensify their meeting to review the reviewed code; RSLAF,SLP/FS actions with respect to political party registration U,Women-Led CEDAW; criteria to include minimum -# of advocacy CSOs/CBOs -Mapping of women in 30% quota of women in engagements the SSIs and advocating leadership positions; -Mapping reports; for reviewing security -# of training sector recruitment and - Engage SSIs including ONS courses organised Bilatera promotion criteria and to continue training of by respective l policies; female officers/staff institutions Multilat members to enable building/strengthe eral - Lobbying MPs for the minimum 30% ning capacities on agencie passage of the GEWE participation and gender, gender s Bill when laid in representation in analysis gender parliament; leadership positions, mainstreaming, including in peacebuilding WPS, gender and - Continuing /Peace Support Operations peace processes 2019 sensitisation/or mission ,particularly, also Conscientisation of ,develop and apply as women, particularly necessary, mechanisms young females about like targeting, quotas at all GEWE Policy their roles and levels of their structures; finalized and Bill responsibilities in all passed by development fields, - MSWGCA to fast track next Parliament including the steps immediately the 2019- necessary GEWE policy is developed; 2023 engagement in empowerment - Conduct awareness raising /capacity building and capacity building TOT processes. workshops for women, especially at chiefdom levels, in collaboration 2019- with male champions; 2023 32 - Organise community advocacy campaigns on the importance of women representation and the fight against violence against women.

4.2 Representation of - Lobby officials in the - Organize meetings - Number of ONS, Regional, Bilatera 400,000 2019 -- women in Security security sector; amongst key stakeholders meetings held District, and l and 2022 committees at provincial, - Sensitize women - sensitization and with officials in local council Multilat district and chiefdom about their roles and awareness raising the security officials, erals, levels and other responsibilities in workshops for women sector Chiefdom UNDP governance committees at building peace, - Training workshops for - Percentage of Council especially chiefdom engaging with SSIs women in peacebuilding; women made officials, levels. - Capacity building for - Organise Mock Parliament aware of their Community women involving school pupils roles and women /school clubs on responsibilities ,traditional International Women’s in peace building authorities , Day in the Chamber of - 100 women parliamentary Parliament trained in Female peacebuilding Caucus, and human rights Legislative in districts and committee, chiefdoms and Male Champions, and women’s organizations 33 Pillar 5: Promote peace culture and empower communities to generate and sustain their own well-being, environmental security and early response to health emergencies Outcome Objective(s): Contribute to sustainable peace and community resilience to environmental and health emergencies Output Objectives Strategies Specific Activities Indicators Primary Other Financial Time for Stakeholde partner Allocatio completio rs s n n

5.1. Communities’ capacity - Capacity building and Hold consultative dialogue # of IEC sessions EPA,NPAA, NGOs, 225,000 2019- to generate sustainable strengthening through for and IEC sessions at on MAFFS,MLG UNDP- 2023 livelihood strengthened, knowledge sharing on community levels with key environmental, RD,MSWGC GEF their resilience and coping policies, practices, and stakeholders on enhancing ,natural resource A, MLE ,MPs UNIT,UN strategies to environmental perspectives on positive lasting livelihood activities management and Local WOMEN, disasters and health behavioural/attitudinal ,resilience/coping conservation, Councils, UNICEF emergencies improved. change, including strategies by mitigating preventing Chiefdom facilitation/supporting environmental disasters, environmental Councils access to available practicing and maintaining disasters- MTI, services at all levels. good hygiene and sanitary flooding, Meteorology practices; droughts Dept. -Conduct ToT sessions ,promoting WOMEN’S with key community health and CSOs/CBOs groups to cascade hygiene thereby outcomes of dialogue preventing e.g sessions and imparting Ebola ,cholera, practical actions widely at typhoid community level; # and % of -Establish woodlots for fuel women using wood use, planting of energy efficient fruit/nut trees around fuel materials; houses and farmlands at % of farming community levels and train spaces at women/girls especially on community use of energy/fuel saving levels stoves. 34 Pillar 6: Promote effective coordination of implementation, monitoring and evaluation and reporting of SiLNAP II Outcome Objectives: Capacity and systems for effective and efficient implementation, coordination, monitoring, evaluation and reporting strengthened. Output Objectives Strategies Specific Activities Indicators Primary Other Financial Time for Stakeholders partners Allocation completion

6.1 Institutional and Regular coordination and -Hold monthly meetings on #meetings held MSWGCA & UN family, 310,000 2019- technical capacity of the implementation , implementation and Parliament- Internation 2023 #of chiefdom MSWGCA and other monitoring reporting coordination; Female al Partners committees relevant entities for the meetings of the National, -Establish Chiefdom Steering Caucus, established coordination and Regional ,District and Committees; Committee # of personnel management of the Chiefdom Steering -Conduct specialized on Supplies, skilled in stated SiLNAP for full Committees; training on WPS Institutions areas implementation and Strengthening capacity for programme planning, /MDAs promotion of peace ,security and gender coordination ,collection Availability of represented UNSCRs1325 ,1820 and analyses, including the of gender statistics database at on the their supporting UN creation of data hub on ,monitoring and MSWGCA, and Steering Resolutions, SiLNAP implementation evaluation for Steering contains gender Committees strengthened by 2023 outcomes ; Committee and Partners; statistics on ; Availability of simplified -Establish a SiLNAP data base WPS MSWGCA, reader friendly version of at MSWGCA National Stats-SL; #copies SiLNAP. Office ; reproduced& - Produce reader friendly distributed flyers and disseminate yearly copies of NAP yearly.

6.2 Monitoring Collaborate and coordinate -Hold joint meetings with #of information MSWGCA & 230,000 2019 framework with other Partners for stakeholders, especially sharing Steering strengthened, proper monitoring and the relevant meetings held; Committees institutionalised and evaluation of Parliamentary Oversight Existence of the other operated with adequate implementation of SiLNAP Committees, to share M&E Plan key MDAs funding for the purpose activities information on Parliamenta implementation and ry oversight strengthen monitoring committees protocol of SiLNAP; 35 -Training workshop on monitoring for partners Each pillar contains priority outcome and output objectives with indicators for monitoring progress towards full implementation. Appropriate activities including responsible parties and timelines have been identified. In all, there are six expected outcome objectives, twenty-three key output objectives and thirty-three indicators. 36

3.4. National Action Plan Budget Estimate National Action Plan Budget Estimate Amount Required in US Objectives Specific Activities 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 Activity Total in US Dollars 1. Contribute to achieving 1.1.1. Harmonise/ align the relevant 30,000 10,000 0 0 30,000 reduced conflict in provisions of and remove Communities and inconsistency between the Child addressing their root Rights Act and the Registration of causes at all levels Customary Marriage and Divorce Act with respect to age of marriage

1.2.1. Develop messages in jingles and 40,000 35,000 30,000 10,000 5,000 120,000 local languages to be disseminated by air, by Village/Community criers; publicize through pictorial flyers;

1.2.2 Organize community theatre and 30,000 30,000 30,000 35,000 30,000 155,000 radio drama for message dissemination

1.2.3 Organize radio programmes panel 60,000 50,000 30,000 30,000 20,000 190,000 discussion and Town Hall/ community Barray style meetings

1.3.1. Conduct trainings for community 60,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 30,000 240,000 stakeholders including women themselves on WPS issues, structural barriers that impede women’s enjoyment of political rights and active participation in decision-making. Provide/enable women to have support groups; 37

1.3.2. Educate and train local councils and 50,000 50,000 30,000 30,000 20,000 180,000 provide refresher seminars on Localization guidelines of SiLNAP and its monitoring framework.

1.3.3. Hold community dialogue fora on 60,000 60,000 40,000 40,000 30,000 230,000 benefits of peaceful coexistence/social cohesion, including advocacy on the implementation of the remaining TRC recommendations on women and girls. 2. To protect women, girls 2.1.1 Hold meetings with stakeholders to 60,000 60,000 50,000 50,000 30,000 250,000 and other persons raise awareness, and follow up on vulnerable from, SGBV community monitoring of the and promote human implementation of bye laws and dignity and equality. gender justice laws;

2.1.2. Conduct dialogue with local councils 60,000 45,000 40,000 40,000 30,000 215,000 and Traditional Authorities and FSU on application of WPS Localisation Strategy Guidelines, create two female advocacy groups at chiefdom levels and established toll free line to report cases.

2.3.1 Mobilise, provide funding and 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 50,000 undertake necessary tasks for establishment and equipping of safe homes Monitor and Evaluate the work done.

2.4.1 Hold dialogue sessions with key 50,000 50,000 40,000 40,000 40,000 220,000 communities’ stakeholders, including traditional leaders, male champions, parents, especially fathers and teenagers 38

2.4.2 Conduct training sessions on life 55,000 50,000 55,000 50,000 45,000 255,000 skills for girls in formal and non- formal school systems using the national life skills manuals Established adolescent youth friendly center at local communities levels to reduce teenage pregnancy and early child marriage

2.4.3 Provide livelihood skills trainings in 80,000 80,000 80,000 60,000 60,000 360,000 the agriculture ,and other sectors;

2.4.4 Conduct IEC for women’s groups on 40,000 40,000 40,000 45,000 45,000 210,000 mobilizing income through engagement in Microfinance schemes, e.g. Village Savings and Loan Associations

2.4.5 Conduct dialogue/IE/reflection 40,000 40,000 0 0 0 80,000 meeting with key community members, including traditional authorities, parent’s teenage girls and young adults to assess their traditional view on puberty, sexual and reproductive, health rights and responsibilities including research in the 16 districts. 3. Contribute to increased 3.1.1 Stakeholders at community levels, 50,000 80,000 60,000 60,000 60,000 310,000 conviction of particularly, women-led CSOs/CBOs perpetrators and collaborate with Youth/Girls promotion of women’s, serving Agencies and male young adults’ and girls’ champions undertake advocacy rights. campaigns using multiple channels of communications

3.1.2 MSWGCA &Women’s organisations 10,000 15,000 15,000 10,000 10,000 60,000 engage the Sierra Leone 39 Correctional Services to provide effective services of such types to their clients;

3.1.3 Local Councils and MSWGCA to 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 250,000 support and provide transportation allowance/refunds to witness and victims, thereby enable them to report at nearest FSU and subsequently attend court sessions.

3.1.4 MSWGCA in partnership with the 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 50,000 250,000 Justice Sector including FSU organise dialogue and trainings for key stakeholders including legal practitioners on the gender justice laws.

3.1.5 Hold joint IEC forums at community 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 50,000 levels on their uses including conduction of 2 parliamentarian programmes.

3.2.1 Monitor the approval rate of bye- 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 5,000 laws already on the table of the Attorney General for approval in2018

3.2.2 MSWGCA to furnish, equip and 90,000 90,000 80,000 80,000 80,000 420,000 properly staff already built Safe Home in Makeni; and construct, and equip homes in the other districts nationwide.

3.3.1 MSWGCA hold consultations with 800,000 200,000 100,000 50,000 50,000 1,200,000 MOH and the Justice Sector about the setting up of DNA test facilities including training of medical laboratory staff.

3.4.1 Organise representation &Hold 10,000 10,000 15,000 10,000 15,000 60,000 advocacy meetings with government and the Human Rights Commission on the follow up of the 40 TRC recommendation - Collaborative activities with the Media, in particular WIMSAL in conducting advocacy on WPS issues 4. Contribute to increased 4.1.1 - Organise advocacy meetings with 20,000 20,000 20,000 15,000 15,000 90,000 women’s meaningful government line ministries and participation and political parties on WPS Agenda, representation in gender equality/meaningful women decision-making in all inclusive policy and sectors, and at all facilitate/disseminate the He4She levels. campaign; 4.1.2- Organise exchange visits on best 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 100,000 practices among chiefdoms with female PCs and MPs, and those with less gender sensitivity; 4.1.3- Engage PPRC in advocacy meeting to 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 5,000 review the political party registration criteria to include minimum 30% quota of women in leadership positions; 4.1.4- MSWGCA to fast track next steps 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 100,000 immediately the GEWE policy is developed. Parliamentarians to push for the amendment of section 27(4)(d)&(e) of the 1991 constitution, through private member bill by female MP/at a question time to AG on the constitutional review process so as to speed up 41 4.1.5- Engage SSIs including ONS to 10,000 10,000 15,000 15,000 20,000 70,000 continue training of female officers/staff members to enable minimum 30% participation and representation in leadership positions, including in peacebuilding /Peace Support Operations mission ,particularly, also, develop and apply as necessary, mechanisms like targeting, quotas at all levels of their structures; 4.1.6 - Conduct awareness raising and 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 100,000 capacity building TOT workshops for women, especially at chiefdom levels, in collaboration with male champions; 20,000 4.1.7- Organise community advocacy 20,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 80,000 campaigns on the importance of women representation and the fight against violence against women

4.1.8 Organize meetings amongst key 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 30,000 150,000 stakeholders -Sensitization and awareness raising workshops for women and Schools including mock parliament and School pupils clubs - Training workshops for women in peacebuilding 5.Contribute to sustainable 5.1.1 Hold consultative dialogue for and 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 15,000 55,000 peace and community IEC sessions at community levels resilience to with key stakeholders on enhancing lasting livelihood activities 42 environmental and resilience/coping strategies by health emergencies mitigating environmental disasters, practicing and maintaining good hygiene and sanitary practices;

5.1.2 Conduct ToT sessions with key 20,000 20,000 15,000 15,000 10,000 80,000 community groups to cascade outcomes of dialogue sessions and imparting practical actions widely at community level; 5.1.3Establish woodlots for fuel wood use, 20,000 20,000 20,000 15,000 15,000 90,000 planting of fruit/nut trees around houses and farmlands at community levels and train women/girls especially on use of energy/fuel saving stoves. 6. Capacity and systems for 6.1.1 Hold monthly meetings on 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 100,000 effective and efficient implementation and coordination coordination of implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

6.1.2 Establish Chiefdom Steering 20,000 20,000 20,000 15,000 15,000 90,000 Committees;

6.1.3 Conduct specialized training on WPS 30,000 30,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 120,000 programme planning, coordination ,collection of gender statistics ,monitoring and evaluation for Steering Committee and Partners;

6.1.4 Establish a SiLNAP data base at 60,000 25,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 115,000 MSWGCA National Office; Produce reader friendly flyers and disseminate copies of NAP yearly. 6.1.5Hold joint meetings with 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 15,000 75,000 stakeholders, especially the 43 relevant Parliamentary Oversight Committees, to share information on implementation and strengthen monitoring protocol of SiLNAP;

6.1.6 Training workshop on monitoring for 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 10,000 40,010 partners 6,850,010 44

3.5. Resource Mobilisation for full implementation:

3.5.1 Financing SiLNAP II The purpose of this strategy is to identify realistic approaches to mobilising resources for the implementation of the SILNAP process in Sierra Leone. The government, as forerunner in the implementation of the SILNAP, shall take the lead in resource mobilisation. It should be noted, however, that, government resources as articulated in the national budget always fall short of the requisite finance to implement its development programmes. Financing the SiLNAP to enhance effective operation is in two phases: getting the National Steering Committee for Implementation; and coordination and reporting on the implementation of the SiLNAP. The Sierra Leone Government through the Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children's Affairs has expressed strong commitment throughout the crafting stages of SiLNAP. This manifest political will to support the implementation. However, the existing national budget allocation to gender equality and specifically for SiLNAP are far from meeting the programmed financial resources to ensure a successful implementation of the SILNAP. While the Government contribution will continue to remain fundamental to the resource mobilization strategy, there is a strong need to identify other sources to mobilize additional resources. Support (financially or in-kind) will be sought from various sources including international donors, the private sector, CSO/NGOs, and individuals/ households/communities (see Figure 1). Mobilising resources from domestic sources is extremely critical for ownership and sustainability of the implementation process. The Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children’s Affairs, together with its supporting NSC have a huge task in this respect to lead the fundraising exercise taking advantage of its heterogeneous composition including representatives from civil society, faith-based organizations, the private sector, the academia, parliament, SSIs, and other MDAs. Each member of the National Steering Committee can lead a fundraising move to its constituency and other potential donors. 45 Figure 1: Summary of potential sources of donations UNWOMEN UNDP/PBF UNICEF WHO UNESCO World Bank DFID Chinese Cooperation EU WFP Multilateral/Bilateral FAO ADB GTZ IFAD USAID JICA Irish Aid Foreign Embassies GNWP TROCAIRE FAS Cordaid Netherlands Commercial Banks Mobile Companies Oil companies Mining Companies Private Sector Insurance Companies Lottery Companies Hotels Construction Lebanese Community Indian Community Companies Shipping Agencies Oxfam GB COOPI INGOs, NGOs, CSOs, CBOs IRC CCSL Care International Christian Aid Concern Worldwide Action Aid CRS NMJD CHDR CGG World Vision CARL Save the Children Plan International MDAs (e.g Other Sources DECSEC, Individual/Collective EPA, Contributions by NaCSA) Women-Led Local Organisations 46

3.5.2 Role of Government, Non-State and Private Sectors

3.5.2.1 The role of Government The effective implementation of SiLNAP II is premised on a tripartite foundation consisting of the government of Sierra Leone (State Party), UN Agencies, and CSOs working on Women, Peace and Security. Sierra Leone has recognised the need to address issues of gender inequality, inequity and women, peace and security and Government has to take the lead in mobilising all the resource types required for responding to these issues. Illustrations of the above recognition include the signing and in some cases ratification of the relevant international and regional human rights laws and instruments. These include the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women (CEDAW), signed and ratified on 21stSeptember 1988 and11th November 1988 respectively, Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action (BDPfA), Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC), the African Union Solemn Declaration on Gender Equality, the African Union Protocol to the African Charter on Human Peoples’ Rights on the Rights of Women in Africa signed in 2005 has been ratified in2015. The optional Protocol to CEDAW, signed in 2005, is yet to be ratified. The CEDAW is yet to be fully domesticated; the passage of the four Gender Justice Laws, comprising the Domestic Violence Act, Devolution of Estates Act, Registration of Customary Marriages and Divorces Act and the Sexual Offences Act between 2007 and 2009 and 2012, reflects a degree of government commitment to domesticate some of the provisions of CEDAW. However, a major impediment to the full application of the practical tools that these three gender laws and legal reforms provide in general, remain the non-domestication of CEDAW, and the non-repeal of Section 27(4)(d)&(e) of the 1991 Constitution. Government’s role in addressing women, peace and security has to be strong, to ensure that these protection laws are effectively enforced, despite deep rooted cultural /customary practices which contradict, and fly in the face of these statutory laws, and in some cases, with impunity.. Since the passage of these relevant Bills that directly bear on enabling effective implementation of UNSCR 1820, other supportive process instrument, namely, the Matrimonial Causes Act is moving too slowly, through the legislative process. The MSWGCA has embarked in an ongoing process for the review of the twin National Policies, namely the Policy on the Advancement of Women and the National Gender Mainstreaming Policy that were in place since 2000; the National Gender Strategic Plan has been reviewed and the revision of a draft Gender Equality & Gender Empowerment Policy that was first done with UNDP support in 2014 has been completed. The finalization of the draft policy was supported by UNDP and UN Women through the Peace Building Fund. The Sierra-Leone Medium-Term National Development Plan,2019-2023 ,titled ‘A New Direction for Improving People’s Lives through Education, Inclusive Growth and Building a Resilience Economy has been produced and launched; it has a Cluster Five dedicated to ‘Empowering women, children and persons with disability’. 47 These policies are designed to promote, protect and advance women's rights in social, economic, political and cultural fields with special emphasis on women's participation in decision-making especially in democratic governance processes. The MSWGCA in partnership with women’s civil society, and various human rights organisations have continued to sensitise communities on the benefits which these policies and legal instruments provide. The Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development (MLGRD), in collaboration with MSWGCA and technical support and funding from partners15 developed with, and rolled out the “Guidelines for the Alignment/Harmonisation of SiLNAP on UNSCRs 1325 &1820 with Local Development Planning Process in Local Councils” among the then nineteen local councils. Refresher training for all the current twenty-one councils on the application of the Guidelines need to be organised by the MLGRD and MSWGCA in partnership with the NSC/and GNWP- SL. a. The National Security Apparatus The National Security Apparatus of Sierra Leone encompasses among other institutions the Sierra Leone Police (SLP), Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces (RSLAF), Sierra Leone Correctional Centre, Sierra Leone Fire Force (SLFF), and Sierra Leone Immigration Services (SLIS). Policy and institutional reforms within these peace and security institutions to which UNSCR 1325 and 1820 are most substantially directed have been undertaken. In general, the Sierra Leone Security Sector apparatus through SSR has been gradually moulded to admit a gender process that incorporates women, so that the respective institutions could better play their role in accordance with the tenets of UNSCR 1325 and 1820. The pattern of recruitment and promotion, for instance, has been reported as currently “largely dependent on competence, ability, qualification and general output rather than sex, patronage or nepotism. Despite policy reforms from a gender perspective, and substantial increase in women’s engagement and involvement in the security forces, the inclusion and representation of women at the decision-making levels is still glaringly low, especially in the RSALF and the Correctional Centre. Women are expected to be represented in the various Security Sector structures; such as the Provincial, District and Chiefdom Security Committees (PROSECS, DISECs, CHISECS). This is happening in some Provinces, Districts and Chiefdoms, while in others; women are not empowered or are denied access to taking up roles on these platforms. Security Sector Reform (SSR) The SSR implementation started in 2000, as a significant element of the peace consolidation process, through the support of the Peacebuilding Commission (PBC), Peacebuilding Fund (PBF) Projects and other bilateral Agencies like DFID for instance, took place within the SSR process. Although it does not explicitly 15 GNWP New York Coordinating Team and GNWP-SL members 48 factor gender mainstreaming, gender policies are in place in institutions within this sector, to promote gender focused development. However, a lot more still needs to be done. (ai) The role of the Republic of Sierra Leone Armed Forces Again, there have been policy reform and restructuring within the RSLAF with regard to recruitment, training and retention with some gender perspective. An increase in women's participation has been achieved through the application of quotas, maintaining academic criteria, but with adaptation in relation to physical fitness. A sexual harassment and fraternisation policy, which was passed 15th, March is being actively implemented and so, also is its gender mainstreaming policy. Female officers are trained and also nominated to participate in Peace Support Missions to, for example, Somalia. The most high-ranking woman in the RSLAF a Brigadier-General has retired. This is in fact the first female Brigadier in the West African Region. There is only one female of colonel rank, who heads the Gender Unit and by projection, it would take quite some years for another woman to rise to the rank of Brigadier-General. In a 14th February Resolution on WPS tabled and passed in parliament by MPs, one of the calls is to the Sierra Leone military leadership and the Ministry of Defence (MoD) to increase the rate of recruitments and promotion of women in the RSLAF. In general, being gender responsive and applying gender mainstreaming approach would enhance the RSLAF’s role in its security mandate. (aii) The Role of the Sierra Leone Police The SLP seems to have acquired a great deal of gender sensitivity as a result of its work with the UN System in Sierra Leone especially in the post-war recovery phase with UNIPSIL, UNFPA, UN Women and UNICEF. Through gender training and resources support it is responding to women's concerns and special needs to a greater extent than before. The Police increasingly engage women through the Local Police Partnership Boards (LPPB). By this initiative, women are being involved in community policing. This process includes creating awareness and educating communities on their human, legal and constitutional rights. Within the LPPB, women are involved at executive levels and are participating actively at meetings and assisting the LPPB to disseminate key messages on personal security at community levels. The Women’s Situation Room worked actively with the Police at National and local levels and advocated for no violence during the March 2018 Presidential, Parliamentary and Local Councils Elections. Working with the police, some of these women are leading advocacy for sharing information on the harmful impacts of conflict on women, and contributions women are far more likely can make to building and reaching stable, fair and prosperous post-conflict communities if involved in peace processes, at a critical mass. These trainings helped community understanding of the roles and responsibilities of the police. 49 The most popular section in the police is said to be the Family Support Unit (FSU). Through this Unit, communities are assisted to take measures to prevent and respond to issues of Gender Based Violence. Community members are encouraged to be involved in community policing which enable women and men to report cases of SGBV and all its forms to the FSU. Women-led CSOs and mixed gender CSOs in communities contribute to providing intelligence to the Police to assist them in their duty of ensuring the safety and security of communities. However, the culture of silence which seems characteristic of some communities nowadays, poses a huge challenge to effective community policing and speedy apprehension of violators especially in VAW cases of rape and sexual penetration. Recently the Community Policing Unit dialogued with CSOs who work in communities and including LPPB members on making Community Policing approach more effective and efficient; detailed capacity building was conducted for LPPB members at the Sierra Leone Peacekeeping and Law Enforcement Academy (SILEA). With support from UNDP, UNESCO and UN Women, the Sierra Leone Police have also taken the lead in training 700 Security Sector personnel (200 Female and 500 males) drawn from (police, correctional centre, fire force and chiefdom police) equipping them with guidance on election security from a gender and human rights perspective. Consequently, Security forces were able to quickly identify and respond to gender related violence during the 2018elections. (a iii) Sierra Leone Correctional Services The Sierra Leone Correctional Service, previously referred to as the Sierra Leone Prison was brought into operation by an Act of Parliament in 2014. The Sierra Leone Correctional Service works collaboratively with the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children’s Affairs in ensuring the welfare of the female inmates. As part of its reforms, the Sierra Leone Correctional Services has established a Gender Unit and has separated the female correctional centre from the male correctional centre, especially in the capital city, Freetown, where the maximum prisons was known to be overcrowded. The female inmates are now occupying the former Special Court premises. 3.5.1.2The role of Non-State and Private Sectors Non-State Actors, in particular women-led CSOs, CSOs and NGOs with mandates on Peace, Human Rights, Rule of Law and Accountability are primarily in the frontline of implementing the WPS agenda. They work as individual organisations or in collaboration with others, while all of them engage with MSWGCA. Taking together, the UNSCR 1325, 1820, and subsequent related resolutions dedicated to women, do not only engender Peace and Security but also provide tools to enhance accountability. They also leverage strategic responses towards intensified, equitable and inclusive security, and development initiatives. A conscious, and to an extent, coordinated initiative spearheaded by women's 50 organizations, mixed networks of Civil Society and Human rights organizations, under the leadership of the Government was intensified in 2008 to translate the principles and provisions of UNSCRs 1325 and 1820 into practice in Sierra Leone. This effort which culminated in the elaboration of the SiLNAP I National Action Plan adopted on the 4thSeptember 2009 at the National Consultative Conference funded by Cordaid (Netherlands) with some Resource Support from Femme Africa Solidarite (FAS) and Women in Peacebuilding and Security Network (WIPSEN) was amplified with the transformation of the then Task Force to the National Steering Committee for the full implementation of UNSCRs 1325 &1820/SiLNAP( NSC).The NSC comprises all relevant line Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) including Defence, Sierra Leone Police, Office of National Security (ONS), Foreign Affairs as well as Civil Society Organizations, Parliamentarians, ,INGOs UN agencies, especially UNFPA and UNWOMEN. The NSC is chaired by MSWGCA and co-chaired by CSO. Through the scaling up and application of a Localisation Programme strategy approach, Regional and District Steering Committees were established in 2012 with arrangements for the use of the localisation tool in chiefdoms. The establishment of Chiefdom Steering Committees is yet to be realised and it is an action in SiLNAP II. This action is a key aspect in the popularisation strategy of SiLNAP II. The Localisation approach is a practical mechanism which directs the effective embrace of community priority felt needs in the peace and security realms, of local councils’ programming. At the consultation workshops of the drafting process in September 2018, the responses to the Guiding Questions and Mapping Survey Questionnaire found out that a number of challenges constrain full implementation in the country. Among these are the average level of knowledge and understanding of the Resolution 1325 and its applications through SiLNAP. It is important for CBOs at chiefdom levels, with reinforcement from national/regional level CSOs and male champion advocates, to start and/or intensify initiatives (-which build/support the active leadership, empowerment, representation and participation of women in politics and peacebuilding-), so as to achieve the full advancement of the women, peace and security agenda and prevent future violent conflict in Sierra Leone

3.5.3 Coordination between and among stakeholders – Government, NGOs, CSOs, CBOs, INGOs The effective implementation of SiLNAP is premised on a tripartite foundation consisting of the government of Sierra Leone (State Party), UN Agencies, and CSOs. The MSWGCA as the national principal focal point will be the primary stakeholder 51 in the coordination of the overall implementation and monitoring of SiLNAP in conjunction with the NSC. The MSWGCA chairs the NSC which is co-chaired by civil society. The SiLNAP will be inclusively implemented and it will take strong and efficient collaboration and partnership through active coordination with other MDAs, especially DECSEC/Local Councils and other partners for its full implementation. SiLNAP II central implementation strategy will be the Localisation approach which directly engages local authorities, traditional leaders, local/community women, community youth groups/organisations, local police, local military officers, ONS/DISEC/PROSEC/CHISEC ,and other key local actors to reflect the plan based on the Localisation Guidelines and address WPS issues in the locality. Hence, Local and Chiefdom Councils will lead in coordinating the implementation of SiLNAP II at District and Chiefdom levels in conjunction with the District Steering Committee (DSC), and the Chiefdom Steering Committee, respectively, while the MSWGCA with the RSC and NSC will lead coordination of the implementation of the SiLNAP at Regional level and National level respectively. The NSC will measure progress on the execution of the NAP and proffer recommendations for its successful implementation. At the Regional Levels, implementation progress will be measured by RSC comprising the Assistant Directors, who chair, with CSO co-chair, Regional Gender Officers (MSWGCA and Local Councils,) other Local Council Representative, FSU/SLP, PROSEC, Traditional Authority, CSOs working on women, peace and security. The DSC will comprise the councillors, MSWGCA District Officer, FSU/SLP, DISEC, Traditional Authorities, Customary law courts, CSOs, CBOs, NGOs working on WPS agenda. The DSC will be chaired by the Local Council, with secretariat assistance from the MSWGCA District office. The MSWGCA shall constitute a technical group for the monitoring of the SiLNAP. The Monitoring and Evaluation Framework is intricately designed to foster proper coordination between and among the various stake holders and actors, so as to achieve the deliverables of the plan. It includes a joint mid-year and annual monitoring mechanism to measure progress and ensure that the plan moves on track. 52 The MSWGCA/NSC will commission and produce an end of SiLNAP II evaluation.

3.5.4 Advocacy An advocacy strategy for resource mobilization forms a critical role for the National Steering Committee for Implementation with leadership from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs. It will bring together government development partners such as the World Bank, AfDB, IFAD, EC, DFID, UN Agencies, JICA, the Chinese and others including non-traditional partners. This meeting provides a platform to market the philosophy of the SiLNAP. Similarly, contacts will be made with the Private Sector for support.

3.5.5. Capacity Building Capacity building of the Actors is very important to the full implementation of the SiLNAP. In this regard we need technical support from our development partners in moving this process forward. In conclusion, the National Steering Committee should be proactive in its fundraising responsibility. The Government, especially the Minister of Social Welfare Gender and Children's has to play a big role in the fundraising process. There is a need for an effective advocacy strategy to market SiLNAP, and the creation of website is critical in this direction. All reachable sources of funding should be explored; there is no 'small money' especially from the perspective of ensuring ownership through local contributions. 4.0: Monitoring and Evaluation Framework

4.1. Introduction to the M&E Framework 4.1.1Background The Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) continues to recognise the need to address gender imbalances and protect women to ensure sustainable socio- economic development. The country signed and ratified the Convention on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) in 1988. A long lag was encountered towards the effective domestication of the Convention largely as a result of the protracted civil conflict of Sierra Leone. However, post-conflict interventions have rekindled the need to bring to the fore gender and women's issues as a fundamental pre-requisite for a lasting peace and sustainable development. GoSL enacted four gender laws in 2007 towards the effective domestication of CEDAW: The Domestic Violence Act; The Devolution of Estate Act; and The Registration of Customary and Divorce Act, and the Sexual Offences Act. A strategic roll-out plan has been developed for the implementation of these Gender Acts. These laws need review because of the challenges in their effective application. 53 The government has also been making progress towards domesticating UN Security Council Resolutions 1325 and 1820 (UNSCR 1325 and UNSCR 1820) in respect of women and children's special situation in conflicts and their role in post-conflict peacebuilding. These resolutions, mutually reinforcing in nature, are consistent with earlier and ongoing policy and institutional reforms and strategies of GoSL: the resolutions are aligned to the Gender Justice Laws, the National Gender Strategic Plan and the New Direction Agenda ---Sierra Leone's Fourth Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper-The Medium Term National Development Plan, 2019-2023. However, while the government has made laudable efforts on the conceptualisation and policy front, huge challenges to implementing gender programmes remain. Key among these relates to the need to set up a robust monitoring and evaluation system to track progress and effectively manage programme implementation.

4.1.2 Objective The overarching objective of this plan is to prepare monitoring and evaluation guidelines for the implementation of UNSCRs 1325 and 1820. The plan specifically focuses on: ➢ Determining the institutional readiness at all levels (national and local level) for the monitoring and evaluation of the National Action Plan (NAP) for the implementation of UNSCRs 1325 and 1820. ➢ Defining an institutional framework with clear roles and responsibilities for all relevant actors. ➢ Identifying monitor able indicators and developing a results framework that will guide the tracking of progress in the implementation of the NAP. ➢ Setting up data collection guidelines for measuring progress in the implementation of the NAP. 54

4.2. Monitoring and Evaluation Matrix Output Strategy Output Indicator MoV Baseline Mile Stone 1 Mile Stone Mile Stone 3 Mile Stone Target Objectives data 2 4 Communities’ Advocate and A single Act Content of Harmonised Two Consensus Harmonize Harmonized Harmonize Harmonize stakeholders’ Lobby for the bridging the Act conflicting reached with d Act Act Enacted d Act d Act commitment to harmonization conflicting harmonized Acts stakeholders, enacted Enacted Enacted promoting appropriate Acts Acts including Cabinet, peaceful Acts Parliament and coexistence by Law Reform addressing the Commission, for root causes of the enactment of a conflict at harmonized Act community level Enhance the Communitie Level of Meeting two revision of the a draft Communitie Communiti 90% of increased/streng communities s aware of awareness of records, conflicting two acts harmonized s aware of es aware of communitie thened understanding the revised the revised Crime records acts Bill enacted the the s in Sierra on the revised Acts acts. at Police harmonized harmonized Leone are Acts Stations. copy Acts Acts aware of of the increased by increased the harmonized 30% by 40% harmonized bill enacted Act Policies and Strengthening Adequately # of SGBV List of To be Women led CSOs Perpetrator Perpetrators Perpetrator Perpetrator mechanisms to the capacity of Campaign perpetrators perpetrators determined and Male s penalized of SGBV s of SGBV s of SGBV protect Women, institutions to skilled sentenced to sentenced Champion and for SGBV penalized increased penalized adolescent young implement women led maximum Reports and their gaps increased increased by by 15% increased adults and girls policies in CSOs and terms; attendance identified by 10% 10% by 35% from SGBV sentencing Male #of cases list of improved and perpetrators to champions reported participants operated, their serve # of advocacy in the rights maximum workshops/c Workshop/A recognized, penalties/jail ommunity dvocacy perpetrators are terms engagement training effectively being held Data base of punished and cases impunity reported 55 strongly Reform and Refined #of inmates Counseling Data of Perpetrators Refined Refined Refined Refined deterred by the rehabilitate perpetrators provided with reports on life Perpetrator needs identified perpetrator perpetrators perpetrator perpetrator end of 2023 convicted engaged in counseling skills training s jailed (to s with with s with s with perpetrator productive service/or conducted be productive productive productive productive through skills other means ; determined skills skills skills skills counseling and increased increased by increased increased productive by 10% 10% by 10% by 30% skills Establish Victims #of SGBV Report/recor To be Victims attending Victims Victims Victims Victims funding Basket funds victims d on victims determined courts and attending attending attending attending support for assisted by attending receiving courts and courts and courts and courts and victims of local councils courts and livelihood support receiving receiving receiving receiving SGBV in to report and reviving increased by 10% livelihood livelihood livelihood livelihood communities attend court livelihood support support support support through local sittings support increased increased by increased increased councils by 10% 10% by 10% by 40 Institutions and Enhance the Capacitated Number of FSU, Courts To be Gaps in gender Capacitated Period for Period for Period for other justice effectiveness gender gender and related determined justice sector gender investigation investigatin gender sector of gender justice related issues NGOs, e.g., institutions justice , prosecution g, related mechanisms justice institutions speedily Rainbow identified sector and verdict prosecuting trials committed to institutions investigated, Centre institutions passed on and passing reduced by protect women, prosecuted records gender verdict on 40% adolescents and and verdict related gender girls from, and passed issues issues respond to VAW reduced by reduced by and sexual 20% 20% violence offences Policies’ Design and Peaceful Frequency of Reports on To be Local councils Ward peaceful Peaceful Peace in mechanisms and implement communities community community determined mainstream peace Committees communities community 30% in hot procedures for mechanism for engagements engagements initiatives in their and increased by increased spot areas prevention of prevention of programmes traditional 10% by 20% conflicts and conflicts by authorities how to address addressing the adopt peace their root causes root causes at initiatives 56 at community community content of Community none within Local councils ward Peaceful levels level community engagement the mainstream peace Committees communities engagements modules and ministry initiatives in their and increased by materials programmes traditional 10% authorities adopt peace initiatives Coverage of Reports on Zero Peace Peaceful Peaceful communities peace community initiatives communities community engaged initiatives covered in 5 pilots increased by increased communitie 10% by 20% s in each region Contributions by Raise Community Level of KAP survey To be Community Communiti Existence of Existence of peace and stakeholders in awareness stakeholders knowledge on report determined stakeholders can es can women and women and security for communities to about women have women and identify women identify girls' peace girls' peace women and finding solutions and girl's knowledge girls' peace and girls' peace women and and security and girls to women’s and peace and about and security and security girls' peace community security enhanced girls’ peace and security issues women and issues among issues and groups community by 40%. security issues, girl's peace stakeholders security groups enhanced. and security issues issues Train Trained and # of women Community To be Availability of Existence of Women and Women and Community skill and girls' and social determined skilled and community girls' girls' stakeholders community peace and welfare trained action plans accessing accessing on women and stakeholders security workers community to address education education girl's peace on women issues serving report on stakeholders on women and and life and life and security and girls' as barriers women and women and girl's girls' peace skills, and skills, and issues peace and overcome girls peace peace and and their their security barriers-e.g. and security security issues security meaningful meaningful issues ,access barriers barriers and active and active education ,life successfully participation participatio skills, and managed community n participating level community actively in decision- level 57 community making decision- level increased by making decision- 15% increased making, and by 30% recognizing women’s ideas Lobby and Bye laws to # of doable Community Existing Review of Revised Women and Women and advocate for overcome bye laws that byelaws byelaws byelaws bylaws girls' girls' women and barriers supports based on accessing accessing girl's against breaking harmonized education education education and women and women and Act and life and life sustainable girls’ peace girls' peace skills, and skills, and peace and security and security their their issues barriers, e.g meaningful meaningful every girl and active and active child of participation participatio school going community n age should be level community in school decision- level making decision- increased by making 15% increased by 30% 58 Mechanisms Design/strengt Functional # of SGBV SGBV issues, To be Gaps identified in Community SGBV issues SGBV cases Comprehen undertaken to hen structures structures issues and case files and determined dealing with SGBV structures and cases reduced by sive data ensure women, to enforce the and cases verdict from police issues and cases re- reduced by 15% base on girls and other three gender institutions judiciously records and court at community and established 15% SGBV/VAW vulnerable act with for the addressed records institutional /strengthen groups are cooperation enforcement and levels, including ed and protected from and of the Three successfully the FSU, and the national SGBV and their collaboration Gender Acts completed at courts institutions dignity among at all levels community, capacitated enhanced. strategic district, to deal stakeholders regional and SGBV issues and national and cases institutions levels Establishing Functional No. of Reports on No. Establishment of Safe Home Safe Home Safe Home and equipping SGBV safe functional Safe Homes Governmen safe homes equipped equipped equipped safe homes in homes Safe Homes t owned included in GoSL and and and all sixteen Safe Home National budget operationali operationali operationali districts zed in three zed in the zed in regional two three- towns remaining fourth of regional the districts towns in Sierra Leone Establishment GBV/VAW Extent of GBV/VAW Non- Social welfare Equipment Comprehens Comprehen of a electronic details of reports availability workers and and gadgets ive data base sive data comprehensive data base reported and of a community available on base on data base of trial cases of comprehen volunteers across the SGBV/VAW SGBV/VAW report of SGBV/VAW sive data identified and country incidences of contained in base on trained in the use GBV/VAW, the database SGBV/VAW of toll free lines through the justice institutions onto the outcome stage 59 Lower rates of Strengthen Reduced #of cases VAW/SGBV To be Trial period of Trial period Trial period Trial period SGBV issues Violence against through reported reported, records at determined VAW/SGBV of of of reduced by Women/Gender cooperation VAW/SGBV charged with FSU/SLP and increased by 10% VAW/SGBV VAW/SGBV VAW/SGBV 40% Based Violence and cases in satisfactory in the courts increased increased by increased at national level collaboration communities outcome/con by 10% 10% by 10% are achieved. VAW/SGBV viction; justice sector institutions to fast track related cases Constructively Reduced # articles Published To be Memorandum of Newspaper Newspaper/l Newspaper SGBV issues involve the reported published/or Articles, determined understanding /local ocal council /local reduced by public and VAW/SGBV trends in the Newspapers, signed between council coverage on council 40% other cases in print media Local MSWGCA and coverage on VAW/SGBV coverage on stakeholders in communities on SGBV; Council’s SGBV actors VAW/SGBV increased by VAW/SGBV the fight Local Reports/Loca including increased 20% increased against Council’s l Councils SLAG/Local by 20% by 20% VAW/SGBV Reports/Loca Development Councils including l Councils Plans journalist, the Development executive and Plans Law Officers Department Teenage Build Communitie Communities KAP survey To be Awareness level Awareness Awareness Awareness Teenage Pregnancy in resilience s are aware level of report determined on the hazards of level on the level on the level on the Pregnancy Local against of the knowledge, teenage hazards of hazards of hazards of reduced to Communities VAW/SGBV hazards of attitude and pregnancy teenage teenage teenage 60% reduced and other teenage - practice on increased by 10% pregnancy pregnancy pregnancy harmful pregnancy the hazards of increased increased by increased traditional and other teenage by 10% 10% by 10% practices harmful pregnancy within traditional and other communities practices harmful and national, traditional practices 60 regional and Functional # of Reports on 0 10% of structures 10% of 10% of 10% of district levels structure at functional capacity established/stren structures structures structures community structures at building gthened at established established/ established and other community initiatives at community and /strengthen strengthene /strengthen levels to and other community, other levels ed at d at ed at fight against levels district, community community community teenage regional and and other and other and other pregnancy national levels levels levels and related levels harmful traditional practices # of persons, List women 0 Women received Women Families/Co particularly participants training on VSLAs actively mmunities women involved in engaged in actively VSLAs FGM/C are involved in provided VSLAs with alternative Livelihood support Assessment of Assessment 0 Survey on Possible Advocacy on traditional report traditional views gaps in the free Medical view; Extent of teenage survey treatment of pregnancy and report for all SGBV appreciation early marriage addressed survivors of conducted appropriate SRHRs and negative consequences of Teenage pregnancy; % of early marriage stopped 61 SGBV % of SGBV Health Care To be Database on SGBV SGBV SGBV SGBV SGBV survivors are survivors services determined survivors survivors survivors survivors Survivors accessing accessing the records accessing the Free accessing accessing accessing access the Free Health Free Health Health Care Free Health Free Health Free Health free health Care Care services services set at Care Care services Care care Services at district district and services increased by services increased levels national levels increased 10% increased by 50% by 20% by 10% Institutions and Review the MSWGCA in # of Training The old Training module Training Community Communiti Institutions other justice gender justice partnership participants, report, gender & manual on personnel engagement es are and other sector laws and with the including Training List policy gender laws of gender and aware of justice mechanisms addressing justice sector legal developed laws coordination gender laws sectors committed to conflicting including practitioners, identified meetings committed protect women, causes and/or FSU organize FSU, Social held to protect adolescents and magnitude of a policy Workers women, girls from, and sentences dialogue and trained adolescents respond to VAW trainings on on/provided and girls and sexual gender laws. with gender from SGBV violence offences justices #of forums Pictorial IEC 0 Forums on gender Communiti Gender Laws held and #of flyers laws held es are information pictorial IEC aware of shared with flyers gender laws key distributed; stakeholders % of bye-laws Approved 0 Community bye- Community women/girls approved bye-laws laws on VAW and bye-laws are sexual violence on sexual protected offences violence from SGBV established offences implemente d 62 Processes and Loby with key Laboratory Progress DNA testing 0 Central Inclusion of SGBV DNA testing DNA laboratory stakeholders analytical towards the laboratory Government and the setting Laboratory of SGBV evidence analytical to establish facilities to setting up of progress Partners contract up of a DNA and cases base of facilities to SGBV cases enable an in-country report agreement for the laboratory analytical SGBV trials enable speedy laboratory speedy SGBV DNA testing setting up of SGBV in the facilities trials, especially analytical cases service; Laboratory and national operationali in cases of rape facilities investigation analytical budget zed and sexual established facilities penetration improved. Advocacy Embark on Sustaining No. TRC List of 0 Contractual 40% of 20% of 20% of All TRC outreach to constructive peace for follow up Committee agreement by the outstanding outstanding outstanding recommend Government to engagement women and Committee members GoSL to TRC TRC TRC ations on implement the with the GoSL girls established. implement the recommend recommenda recommend women and remaining on the promoted outstanding TRC ation on tion on ation on girls recommendation exhaustive recommendations women and women and women and implemente s, on women and implementatio on women and girls girls girls d girls, in the TRC n of the TRC girls implemente implemente implemente report recommendati d d d conducted. ons on women and girls Minimum of 30% Advocacy and Women and % of women Representatio To be Memorandum of Peace Women and Women and Minimum women’s active lobby girls in peace and girls in ns in decision determined understanding building girls girls 30% participation and government building and leadership making and with peace and representati representat participatio representation in and other governance positions governance building and Governance on in peace ion in peace n and decision-making strategic leadership structure governance structures/i building and building representat positions at all institutions to positions reports structure key nstitutional governance and ion in peace levels, especially, uptake women stakeholders for policies structures governance building in peace and girls in 30% minimum reformed to increased to structures and building, and structures at representation for reflect 30% a minimum increased governance governance all levels women and girls minimum of 10% to a decision institutions representat minimum of making and moved ion for 20% leadership towards/or women and structures attained by 2023 girls 63 Support and Male Level of Male 0 At least four pilot Male Male Male and motivate the champion coverage of champion male champion Champion champion champion institutions increased are existing male groups survey Groups In each available in support support voice of male at champion report region four groups in 8 group in all counterparts community groups that districts districts 16 districts for increased and national support representation levels women’s of women and representatio girls in peace ns in peace building and building and governance governance decision decision making and making and leadership leadership positions structures Empower Women and % of women Women and To be Empowered Empowered Empowered Empowered women and girls winning and girls girls determined women and girls women and women and women and girls to leadership winning participation participating in girls girls girls assume contest at all competitive in leadership competitive participatin participating participatin leadership levels leadership contests governance g in in g in positions in contests survey positions competitive competitive competitive peace building reports increased by 15% governance governance governance and positions positions positions governance increased increased by increased institutions by 15% 15% by 15% including political parties 64 GEWE Policy Enacted Law Draft Policy GEWE Policy GEWE Bill GEWE Bill Availability GEWE Act finalized and in Place finalized drafted enacted by of PPRC implemente Bill passed by Parliament reviewed d Parliament code on political parties registration criteria to include minimum 30% quota of women in leadership positions Communities’ Cooperate and Sustainable # of ongoing Reports on To be 2 pilot sustainable Sustainable Sustainable Sustainable 80 capacity to collaborate Livelihood sustainable ongoing determined livelihood groups Livelihood Livelihood Livelihood sustainable generate with other initiatives livelihood sustainable in each of the five groups in groups in groups in livelihood sustainable livelihood are ongoing interventions livelihood regions each region each region each region groups livelihood support MDAs, in activities or increased increased by increased spread strengthened, e.g. Agriculture communities projects by 4 4 by 4 across the their resilience and Youth, and country and coping other national strategies to and Resilience Types and Report on To be 2 pilot Resilience Resilience Resilience Resilience 80 environmental international and number of community determined and emergency and and and Resilience disasters and organizations emergency resilience and emergency preparedness and emergency emergency emergency and health to support environment emergency preparedness response preparedne preparednes preparedne emergency emergencies sustainable al disaster preparedness response initiatives in each ss and s and ss and preparedne improved likelihood preparednes and response initiatives of the five regions response response response ss response generation and s and initiatives in initiatives initiatives initiatives initiatives build resilience response communities increased increased by increased spread and emergency initiatives by 4 in each 4 in each of by 4 in each across the response are ongoing of the five the five of the five country initiatives in regions regions regions communities 65 Institutional and Embark on Institutional Variety of Institutional Existing MGSWCA's Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing MSWGCA's technical comprehensive and institutional and technical institutiona national budget interventio intervention interventio scores high capacity of the institutional technical and technical capacity gap l and costs for ns to s to address ns to performanc MSWGCA and and technical capacity capacity gaps analysis technical interventions to address the the address the e rating in other relevant capacity audit gaps for the report capacity address the gaps institutiona institutional institutiona the entities for the and gap exhaustive gaps, if any l and and l and performanc coordination and analysis implementat technical technical technical e contract management of ion of capacity capacity capacity signed with the SiLNAPfor SILNAP 2, in gaps gaps gaps the full terms of president of implementation human, Sierra and promotion of equipment, Leone UNSCRs1325 materials ,1820 and their and other supporting UN resources Resolutions, are strengthened by identified 2023 Monitoring Conduct MSWGCA's Variety of M M and E Existing M MSWGCA's budget Ongoing Ongoing Ongoing MSWGCA's framework capacity scan M&E and E gaps capacity scan and E gaps, reflecting costs to actions to actions to actions to scores high strengthened, of the capacity reports and if any address M and E address M address M address M performanc institutionalized MSWGCA's M gaps action plans gaps and E gaps and E gaps and E gaps e rating in and operated and E system the with adequate performanc funding for the e contract purpose signed with the president of Sierra Leone 66 Existence of Unit plans No unit Unit operational Performanc Performance Performanc MSWGCA's MSWGCA's and IOPs operational plans and IOPs e appraisal appraisal e appraisal scores high Unit/program plans and designed system system system performanc me and IOPs for institutiona institutionali institutiona e rating in Individual personnel lized zed lized the operating performanc plans e contract signed with the president of Sierra Leone 67

4.3 Financing the M&E Plan This is critical to fulfilling the purpose of the M&E framework articulated in this plan. Huge financial implications are envisaged for the effective coordination of the institutional framework; building the capacity of actors involved in the implementation process, and meeting the data needs for the tracking of and reporting on progress made in the implementation of the NAP. This plan comes out with an indicative cost, as shown below in section 4.3.1, for the various M&E needs identified therein.

4.3.1. Budget for the Implementation of the M&E Plan Cost USD 2019- Budget Heads 2023 Capacity Building Personnel Support 30,000 Equipment &Logistics 25,000 Training 60,000 Sub Total 115,000 Running Institutional Framework Coordination of Meetings (National, Regional, Districts and 50,000 Chiefdom level Capacity Building MSWGCA, FSU, Justices, Local Council and 45,000 other community structures Documentation, communication and Information 40,000 Dissemination Sub Total 135,000 Support to Routine Data System Data collection and processing 80,000 Analysis and Dissemination 30,000 Central Level Institution 20,000 Local level institution 20,000 Sub Total 150,000 Grand Total 400,000

4.4 Structure of the Plan The M&E plan is structured as follows. Section 4.4.1 presents an organizational landscape enumerating the various institutions and actors that carry out activities related to addressing gender and women's issues, especially in the context of post- conflict peacebuilding in Sierra Leone. It highlights the capacity situation of institutions for monitoring and evaluation policies, programmes and projects relating to gender and women's development. Section 4.4.2 describes the institutional arrangement for monitoring the implementation of the National Action Plan on 68 UNSCR 1325 and UNSCR 1820; it identifies actors and defines roles and responsibilities. Section 4.4 analyses the indicators developed for monitoring progress; it discusses the results framework, showing planned deliverables and targets over the implementation period. Section 5 highlights the data needs and institutional responsibilities in data collection. Section 6 summarizes the plan and presents summary of indicative?.

4.4.1. Institutional Readiness for Monitoring the National Action Plan There is growing awakening in Sierra Leone regarding the potential benefit the country would realise by supporting gender sensitive programmes and promoting special activities for the advancement of women. The growth in gender awareness and sensitivity has come to the national policy frontline especially after the civil war. In addition to government's responsiveness, a flurry of non-governmental institutions with activities bearing on gender and women's development has been experienced in our national peace and development processes. However, while these well-intentioned institutions have contributed towards gender development and working with government to reach Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) especially 5 and 16, a major factor constraining the operations of many is the lack of adequacy of capacity to fully implement programmes.

4.4.2 Institutional Arrangement for Monitoring the NAP Description There is a broad landscape for managing the implementation of the SILNAP on UNSCRs 1325 and 1820. There are many actors to implement the provisions of the resolutions, calling for a clearly defined and well-coordinated framework. Roles and responsibilities need to be clearly carved out. This institutional arrangement draws heavily on the framework for monitoring the roll-out plan for the implementation of GEWE and the National Gender Strategic Plan (NGSP) developed by the Ministry of Social Welfare, Gender and Children's Affairs (MSWGCA). The Sierra Leone National Action Plan on UNSCRs 1325 and 1820 is aligned to elements of Cluster Five in the National Medium Term Plan (2019-2023). The actors expected to play critical role in the monitoring of the NAP include: MSWGCA, Sierra Leone Parliament, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ministry of Defence, and International Cooperation, Local Government and Rural Development,/DecSec/Local Councils, NaCSA, SLP/Family Support Units (FSUs)/Special Unit on Sexual Penetration of Minors and the Sierra Leone Police 69 (SLP), The Judiciary, The Human Rights Commission in Sierra Leone (HRCSL), The National Commission for Democracy, other line MDAs, National Committee on Gender-Based Violence (NAC-GBV), NGOs, Women's Organisations, CBOs, Traditional Authorities, Chiefdom Councils, and the Communities. These are relevant institutions in the production of data and reporting on the implementation of resolutions 1325 and 1820.

4.4.3. Coordination of M&E Activities at National Level The lead institutions at the national level to steer the overall M&E process are the MSWGCA/National Steering Committee for full implementation of SiLNAP II (NSC), Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Ministry of Defence, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Local Government and Rural Development, NaCSA, FSUs/SLP, HRCSL, The Judiciary, and the NAC-GBV. These shall constitute a core technical group (CTG) for the monitoring of the NAP within the framework of an established national M&E National Steering Committee (MENSC). The CTG will be providing technical support to the National Steering Committee for the full implementation of SiLNAP (NSC). The former will be gathering national data, analysing the data and preparing discussion notes for periodic meetings to be held by the NSC. The NSC will be reviewing progress on the implementation of the NAP and would make recommendations towards enhancing programme success. The NSC will be the anchor for updating government, Parliament through the Social Welfare Oversight Committee, the Female Parliamentary Caucus, the UN and the donor community in general regarding progress on the implementation of the SiLNAP II/ UNSCRs 1325 and 1820. The MSWGCA will serve as the principal national focal point for coordinating the monitoring of the NAP; it will provide secretariat back-up to the CTG and NSC.

4.4.4. Coordination of M&E Activities at Regional Level Progress shall be tracked at the regional level. Monitoring at this level will be coordinated by the Regional Gender Office in collaboration with M&E officer-Local council, regional judiciary system, FSU/SLP, the Provincial Secretary's Office, Regional Minister's Office, MPs Office and NGOs. There shall be a Regional Steering Committee (RSC) on the NAP comprising key stakeholders beyond the core regional working group to broadly discuss and review progress at the regional level. The RSC will collect and analyse data at the regional level and prepare reports for the attention of the National Steering Committee (NSC), who will review reports and make recommendations to the RSC for effective implementation. 4.4.5Coordination of M&E Activities at District and Community/Chiefdom Level 70 Here, Local Councils will take the lead in coordinating the implementation of the NAP. A District Steering Committee (DSC) will be set up and chaired by the Local Council with secretariat support from the District Gender Officer. The DSC will comprise councillors, the Gender Office, FSU/SLP, the DISEC, traditional authorities, customary law courts, NGOs, Women's Groups and other members deemed necessary. The committee will set up the M&E agenda with guidance from the RSC and National Steering Committee (NSC). The DSC will be reviewing progress at the district level on a periodic basis for the attention of the RSC and NSC. The RSC and NSC will review district reports and feed back to the DSC to inform effective implementation at the district level. The RSC will keep NSC constantly updated on progress at district and regional level. The DSC will coordinate efforts at the community level. Councillors, Chiefdom Police and village/town headmen, in collaboration with CBOs and community women's organisation, shall gather data and submit to the DSC who will carry out initial analysis. Efforts at the community level could be coordinated with the framework of the existing Ward Committees. The institutional arrangement is summarised in Figure 2, below showing relations and information flow. Data collected at the community level flows up to the district level, where the DSCs carry out basic analysis on it for onward reporting to the RSCs, who, in return, will review and report accordingly to the NSC. There is a feedback relation as the Figure indicates with recommendations filtering down from one level to the other right through to the communities. This creates space for learning and knowledge sharing and can strengthen implementation of activities; it enables re- planning where necessary. The UN system and donor agencies relate to all national actors in the M&E system as depicted in the figure below. Information shall flow vertically and horizontally and synergies will be enhancing in implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the NAP. 71 Figure 2: M&E Institutional Framework UN GoSL Other System Donor The National Steering Agencies Committee on 1325 Regional Steering Committee on 1325 District/Chiefdom Steering Committee on 1325 Ward/Section Steering Committeeon 1325

4.5 Indicators for Monitoring the SiLNAP In Sierra Leone, the NAP on UNSCRs 1325 and 1820 has been developed around six pillars. Pillar One focuses on the prevention aspect of the resolutions; Pillar Two focuses on protection of victims especially women and children; Pillar Three focuses on prosecution of perpetrators; Pillar Four focuses on participation of women; Pillar Five relates to human security perspective and emergencies;-and Pillar Six focuses on coordination of the implementation of planned programmes to achieve the objectives of UNSCRs 1325 and 1820. Various indicators have been developed and agreed for monitoring progress made under each pillars. The vast majority of these indicators are qualitative in nature, and they are mainly process and output indicator. In all, about 33 indicators have been developed: 11 impact indicators; 23 output indicators. The agreed indicators are elaborated in the SiLNAP II matrix and M&E Framework presented under section 4.0 showing indicators at their respective levels, arranged by policy pillars, with baseline information and annual targets. 72

4.6 Data Requirement for Monitoring and Evaluation of the SILNAP

4.6.1 Data Collection Data shall be collected from different sources. Monitoring will highly depend on routine (administrative) data collected by different agencies. Routine data will be provided by the Family Support Unit, the Sierra Leone Police, the Judiciary, Human Rights Commission, Ministry of Health and Sanitation, Ministry of Education, and other institutions that can provide ample information relating to gender equality, women's empowerment, and women, peace and security. Civil Society Organisations, more so women's movements are also engaged in routine generation of data relating to gender and women's situation and position. These are also a source of information for monitoring UNSCRs 1325 and 1820. The media is also crucial in this context. Information gathered from these sources would give indicative direction as to the progress made in achieving intended results from implementing the UN Resolutions. To ensure in-depth analysis and evaluation of outcomes and impact, detailed surveys and studies will be carried out. Stats Sierra Leone (SSL) can play a big role in this context as the lead national institution for coordinating and advising on statistical practices in the country. SSL could help in identifying and carrying out detailed surveys where necessary in the implementation process of the resolutions.

4.6.2 Data Storage and Management A critical aspect of any successful M&E system is ensuring a robust system for data storage and management. Monitoring gender development in Sierra Leone should be continuous and institutionalised. Therefore, even beyond the envisaged implementation period of the NAP on UNSCRs 1325 and 1820, it should be expected that Sierra Leone will continue to support gender and women's sensitive development programmes. To this end, developing a database could help in the management of long term implementation of programmes and analysing progress trends in the process.

4.7. Budget for Implementing the M&E Plan The table under 4.3.1 presents a summary of the indicative financial requirement for the implementation of the monitoring and evaluation plan for the NAP on UNSCR 1325 and 1820. The budget heads are divided into capacity building, running the institutional framework, gender survey anticipated at the end of the programme, and support to routine data collection. 73 5.0 . Conclusion The development of a second generation of the National Action Plan for the continuing implementation of the United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) and 1820 (2008) will remain a welcome and invaluable tool. Itis opening important channels for women’s agency in peace, security and development, with consideration of meeting elements of the SDGs ,in particular 5 and 16,as well as policy measures and strategies mapped out to better respond to challenges addressing harm suffered by women and girls not only, during the war and its lingering negative fall out, but also in the prevailing marginalised position and situation, and including emerging context of violent weather events(such as flooding, mudslides),as well as ravaging health emergency(e.g. Ebola Virus Disease). Judging from activities undertaken to achieve the goal of aligning national objectives with the international requirements, the SiLNAP manifests inclusiveness and cooperation between Government and Civil Society to engender peace and security. There is continued enthusiasm regarding organisations' determination to pursue programmes and projects aimed at addressing gender and women's concerns. Most NGOs/CSOs/CBOS would be excited and willing to align their activities to the provisions of UNSCR 1325. The trend of responses in terms of those expressing interest, (including men), to address protection of women/girls, prevention of abuse/curtailment of women’s/girls’ rights, and promotion of meaningful gender inclusive representation and participation aspects of the resolution is high. As reflected by the Pillars, focus will specifically be made in the following priority policy areas applying a Localisation Strategy: ➢ Implementation of the Gender Justice Laws ➢ Implementation of programmes to address women's economic, social and environmental security ➢ Women’s, Adolescent and girl Child protection from all forms of VAW and SGBV ➢ Human capacity building ➢ Development of advocacy skills ➢ Environment and Energy ➢ Follow-up on disciplinary actions ➢ Health/Hygiene and Sanitation To take advantage of the existing institutional willingness to work on gender and women's related issues, there is need to develop a capacity building programme for the effective implementation, monitoring and evaluation of the UNSCR 1325 and 1820. The SiLNAP should be regarded as a major step in removing the barriers to women's active representation and participation in peace and security issues; as well74as ensuring that perpetrators of sexual violence in the post-conflict period in Sierra Leone are adequately dealt with under the law. The provision of adequate funding for financing the plan is crucial to translating ideas into reality i.e., support for an implementation process that embraces effective monitoring and evaluation procedures and timely reporting on the plan to measure effectiveness and accountability especially at community and chiefdom levels. In sum, the SiLNAP offers a rare opportunity for promoting gender equality in peace and security in post conflict transformation in Sierra Leone. We are hopeful that the efforts put into developing the SiLNAP will not go in vain. These efforts should be actualised by sustained political will, adequate national funding, with assistance from international partners an enabling environment and sheer commitment from all stakeholders to move coordinated implementation process forward. In all of this, individual women and in collectives as in women-led CSOs, CBOs are at the centre of the entire scheme of things. With championing by men, especially Traditional Authorities, women-young and old-are called upon to take ownership of the implementation process, so that Sierra Leonean women can avail themselves of the opportunity for reaping the benefits of effectively implementing this new results-based WPS agenda in Sierra Leone. 75 6.0 . Appendices 6.1.Appendix 1 –United Nations Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security UNSCR 1325 (2000): 1st recognition of the unique role and active agency of women in conflict, peace and security. UNSCR 1820 (2008): Recognition of sexual violence as weapon of war UNSCR 1888 (2009): Reiteration of the threat of sexual violence and cell for deployment of experts to areas sexual violence is occurring. UNSCR 1889 (2009): Focus on the importance of women as peacebuilders at all stages of the peace process. UNSCR 1960 (2010): Reiteration of the importance of ending sexual violence in conflict. UNSCR 2106 (2013): Addressing the Operational details for combating sexual violence. UNSCR 2122 (2013): Focus on stronger measured monitoring mechanisms to allow women engage in conflict resolution and recovery UNSCR 2242 (2015): Further focus on 1325 and its obstacles including incorporation of 1325 in the UN itself. CEDAW General Recommendation 30 (2015); Links the women peers and security agency to CEDAW including measures to ensure protection of women during and after conflict and promote reporting on progress. UNSCR 2250 (2015): Youth, Peace and Security; deals specifically with the role of young people in issues of peace and security, recognizing the positive role young people can play in conflict setting to build more peaceful and safe societies. UNSCR 2272 (2016): Provide measures to address sexual exploitation and abuse in peace operations. UNSCR 2349 (2017): Peace and security in Africa.

6.2 Continental commitments and instruments - Protocol to the African Charter on Human and People’s Right on the Rights of Women in Africa - Common Africa Defence and Security Police - Framework for Post conflict Reconstruction and Development 2008 - A. U Gender Policy (2000) - Africa Women’s Decade (2009) 2010 -2020 - African Union Convention for the Protection and of internally Displaced Persons in Africa (2004) - Policy Framework for Security Sector Reform (2011) - African Union Aide Memoire on the Protection of Civilians (2013) 76 - AU Agenda 2063, First 10 Year Implementation Plan (2015) - African Union Declaration on 2015 Year of Women’s Empowerment and Development towards Africa Agenda 2063(2015).

6.3 Regional&Sub-RegionalInstruments and Commitments - ECOWAS Protocol on Democracy and Good Governance (2001) - ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework, Women, Peace and Security Act 2008 - POA for the implementation of UNSCRs 1325 & 1820 (2010) - ECOWAS Parliament Gender Strategy, 210-2020 (2011) - Mano River Union 15th Protocol

6.4 National Policies and Legal Framework The Government of Sierra Leone has passed various policies, laws and ratified several conventions in order to protect and promote women’s and children’s human rights and to also address gender inequalities: - Policy on the Advancement of Women and the National Gender Mainstreaming Policy (2000) - The Domestic Violence Act of 2007: which allows for alternative dispute resolutions in cases where there are no injuries, which further limits justice for women - The Devolution of Estates Act 2007 - The Registration of Customary Marriage and Divorce Act 2007- states that a person can only legally marry if they are over the age of 18years, however, it has a critical loophole which permits that marriage of 16year old boys and girls with parental consent, thus there is need for these two Acts to be harmonised. - The Child Rights Act of 2007: articulates the minimum age of marriage; - The Chieftaincy Act of 2007 - The Sexual Offences Act of 2012 – specifies that a person aged less than 18 years cannot consent to sex, making sex below this age illegal. 77

Appendix II - Parliamentary Motion for Adoption of Resolution on the Women, Peace and Security Agenda tabled and adopted on 14th February,2019 - 78 7.0 Bibliography 1) Conciliation Resources/CEDSA/MARWOPNET-SL/Search for Common Ground (2008) Peace, Security and Development Update 'Women in Security', March 2008, Issue 3. 2) GOSL(2004) Census Reports by Statistics Sierra Leone/ UNFPA/UNIFEM (2008) Situation Analysis Research on Gender Based Violence, Vol. I&II. 3) GOSL(2004) Gender Mainstreaming Policy 4) GOSL – Ministry of Social Welfare Gender and Children's Affairs (2009), National Gender Strategic Plan 5) GOSL(2009) Policy on the Advancement of Women 6) GOSL(2008) PRSPII – 'Agenda for Change' 7) Thelma Ekiyor and L. Muthoni Wanyeki: National Implementation of security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) on Women, Peace and Security in Africa – Needs Assessment Report, prepared for the OSAGI and ECA, High-Level Policy Dialogue on National Implementation of the Security Council Resolution 1325 (2000) in Africa 6-8 February 2008, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. 8) The Sierra Leone Women's Manifesto/Declaration: Action NOW – available from especially the 50/50 Group (SL), NOW (SL) and the Women's Forum (SL). 9) UNIFEM (2009) Security Council Resolutions on Women, Peace and Security: Gender Sensitive Peacemaking, Peacekeeping, Peacebuilding UN-INSTRAW (208), “Planning for Action : Good Practices on Implementing UNSCR 1325 on a National Level”, available at http://www.instraw.org/image/fles Background paper 1325.pdf Supported by