Outcome SLE_D_2.4

Gender transformative programmes including men and boys engagement are promoted to influence positive gender norms on governance, economic empowerment and on ending violence against women and girls.

There is a Male involvement strategy for the preventon of sexual gender base violence in sierra leone which is currently being used by development partner to support norms change in communities. However, becuase the strategy doesnot have an evidence based behavioral change model, this makes it more challenging to measure change. Plans are underway for a revision of the strategy to incorporate an evidence-based behavioral model.

The most vulnerable, particularly women, youth, adolescents and children (especially girls), and persons living with disabilities are empowered and benefit from increased social protection services, economic and social opportunities including those with disability

In 2024, a total of 368 SGBV survivors benefited from varied case management support including psychosocial counseling, medical examination, legal advice and broader accompaniment of survivors through the referral pathways. This was achieved through strengthening the operationalization of the 7 One Stop Centers (including providing institutional, financial and logistical support) through the ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs. Furthermore, UN Women increased the capacity of the 49 Frontline Service Providers on national and International SGBV frameworks and guidelines, including handling disclosure, International SGBV response principles, Risk management, National Referral Protocol, Child Protection, safeguarding and Psychosocial Support Services and provision of wellness tools. Moreover, 120 paramount chiefs across the country created spaces for dialogue on gendered social norms and establish community structures to address SGBV including creating gender sensitive community-based action plans in ten (10) communities through UN Women’s capacity strengthening and engagement with the paramount chiefs on the GEWE Act, Sexual offences act, gender justice laws, social norms and myths on women’s leadership including supporting referrals, accompaniment and providing safety nets for survivors. Also, 400 members of SGBV community structures across the one-stop centers have increased capacity on SGBV prevention and response including the referral pathways. UN Women is currently strengthening community mechanisms for SGBV prevention and response including community laws on SGBV prevention and response in 7 districts and establishing SGBV Steering Committee structures where there were hitherto none in existence, enabling them to monitor, refer, report and document SGBV cases. These mechanisms have also created safe spaces for interrogating social norms in their communities and established a strong alliance with the district councils through improved coordination. Stakeholders have committed to provide support to survivors from various home-grown funds including transportation refunds, skills training and foster care especially for survivors from hard-to-reach communities. The local capacity building initiatives have sustained an enabling safe space through a paradigm shift from ad hoc and activity centered actions to a results-based approach.