At an informal meeting of the Peacebuilding Commission’s Sierra Leone configuration on 16 March, Member States were briefed by Sierra Leone’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Joseph Dauda and the Executive Representative of the Secretary-General (ERSG) and head of the UN Mission in Sierra Leone (UNMIL), Mr. Michael von der Schulenburg, on the country’s progress and remaining challenges in peacebuilding in key areas such as governance, economic and political reconstruction (including youth employment).  Joining the Minister and the SRSG were several representatives of Sierra Leonean Civil Society, speaking on the critical issue of women’s participation in peacebuilding in the country.

As Sierra Leone moves ever closer toward national democratic elections in 2012, ongoing efforts to build sustainable peace in the country become an increasingly pressing challenge.  In their briefings to the configuration, Foreign Minister Dauda and SRSG to Sierra Leone, Mr. von der Schulenburg emphasized both the encouraging progress made by the country in rebuilding its society and government, and the immense challenges ahead in strengthening this fragile peace. Both agreed that the continued support of the Peacebuilding Commission is essential to consolidate the country’s past gains and move forward in overcoming its past.

Remaining Challenges

Economic Revitalization

Sierra Leone’s economic revitalization is central to its progress toward peace, both the Foreign Minister and SRSG Schulenburg emphasized in their remarks. Both called upon the Commission to intensify its resource mobilization role in an effort to encourage and attract investment and increase longer-term donor commitments in the country (especially among non-traditional donors).  With a gap of nearly 174 million (USD) of its Multi-Donor Trust Fund (MDTF), a severely limited and fragile government budget, and increasing problems in collecting funds from several mining companies who have failed to make contracted payments in the past year, the country is in need of greater efforts by the international community to meet the Sierra Leone’s funding needs. 

Youth Employment

In connection with its economic future, the country’s youth require special attention.  The government of Sierra Leone has established a National Youth Commission which among its responsibilities encourages youth employment.  Moving forward, the Minister of Foreign Affairs called upon the PBC and its membership to support ‘partnerships for the democratic and developmental engagement of the youths’ of Sierra Leone and to aid the National Youth Commission in carrying out its duties along the lines of Sierra Leone’s Agenda for Change and the UN Joint Vision.

Member State Reactions

Member States praised the work of the government of Sierra Leone, as well as the efforts of UNIPSIL in consolidating peace in the country over the past years.  Amidst significant progress, however, challenges remain in several key areas. 

Representatives of the United Kingdom, China, the European Union, Australia and Peru pointed to the major challenge of the forthcoming 2012 elections.  As a critical ‘benchmark’ of peace and national reconciliation and key to strengthening trust in the government, Member States noted the importance of transparency and adequate preparation for these elections to mitigate the risk of instability in the country during this delicate period.  The European Union offered its election monitoring services to Sierra Leone, if needed.

Several Member States, including the UK, Peru and Japan noted investor concerns about persistent corruption in the country.  Moving toward greater investment, especially in the extractive industry, Sierra Leone must strive for a consistent basis of sound management and transparency.  Related to this problem, Japan and the UK noted, is the scourge of drug trafficking in West Africa, a problem that must be dealt with regionally, as well as within the country.

Finally, a number of States highlighted ongoing barriers to women’s participation in development and peacebuilding in Sierra Leone.  States called for greater integration of women in all sectors.

Civil Society Briefing on Women in Peacebuilding

Several members of Sierra Leone’s Civil Society briefed the configuration on the status of women’s participation in peacebuilding in the country, and shared their priorities for the advancement of women with the participation of the PBC.  Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) represented at the meeting included: All Party Women’s Organization (of the Sierra Leone Peoples Party); 50/50 Group; Destiny Women’s Empowerment Organization; and a Parliamentary representative of the All People’s Congress. 

Economic and Political Participation

Civil Society representatives described the many challenges still faced by women in Sierra Leone, despite major strides forward in past years.  Cited as a severe impediment to women’s participation and advancement in society, economic exclusion of women persists and the feminization of poverty in Sierra Leone has worsened.  Basic levels of education to eradicate illiteracy can help to combat women’s exclusion from economic and political endeavors, and enhanced legal protections can help secure access.  With only 14 women representatives in a Parliament of 104, women do not enjoy equal political access and representation.  Often, violence against women, along with the reinforcement of cultural norms, some of which discriminate against women, has spoiled their attempts to take leadership roles in their communities and government.  While challenges persist, the involvement of Civil Society has played a major role in reversing negative trends and has contributed to the empowerment of women in Sierra Leone.  With the help of the PBC, these CSO representatives noted, more consistent progress can be achieved.

Violence against Women

While women continue to face barriers to their economic and political rights, women’s safety remains a constant challenge.  Sexual violence has persisted in the country well after conflict came to a close in the early 2000s, and domestic violence has not abated despite stated efforts to protect and empower women.  A culture of impunity surrounding sexual and gender-based crimes has also endured.  Civil Society representatives urged Member States and the government of Sierra Leone to scale up efforts to address these matters and combat gender-based crimes.  Importantly, CSOs emphasized the need for the government to take concrete steps to implement the country’s National Action Plan on Security Council Resolution 1325 (Women, Peace and Security), and urged the government to escalate its efforts to enforce the Domestic Violence Act.  Over the long-term, broader efforts to combat the cultural and traditional discrimination and violence against women must be brought to bear.