By Nafisatu Olayinka Deen
Freetown, 15th May 2026- As a way of promoting peace and women’s empowerment, the Talking Drum Studio, in collaboration with Fifty-fifty Group Sierra Leone Chapter, Budget Advocacy Network Sierra Leone (BAN), has hosted a National Public Policy Dialogue at the Brookfields Hotel in Freetown under the Ireland in Sierra Leone-funded project.
“Empowering Women, Youth and Marginalized Groups for Inclusive Governance and Peace in Sierra Leone.” The theme focused on “Advancing Equity and Shaping Futures.”
The keynote speaker, who is the President of 50/50 Group Sierra Leone, Professor Fredline M’Comack Hale, emphasized the critical role of women in peace-building efforts, noting that women were key actors in peace talks to end the civil war in Sierra Leone. He said that Women should always be at the centre of national dialogue.
“Women should be at the forefront of national dialogue. If women are not at the forefront of discussing these issues, then we are not going to have the results that we are seeking,” she said.
Hale noted that the dialogue is central for discussing policy gaps that will advance equity for women, mentioning issues affecting women, such as climate change, economic issues and leadership Opportunities. She noted that women deserve equal rights and opportunities.
The Executive Secretary of the Independent Commission for Peace and National Cohesion (ICPNC), Hawa Samai, reaffirmed the commission’s commitment to including women in conflict prevention dialogues.
She also commended women’s efforts in conflict prevention and noted that women need more empowerment.
The National Director, Talking Drum Studios, Alpha Kamara, reflected on the last public policy dialogue and expressed gratitude to Irish Aid for their continued support in promoting women’s empowerment.
He revealed that 820 women across the project districts have benefited from the project. “820 women across Kambia, Tonkolili, Moyamba, Karene and Port Loko have benefited from this project. There has been a great improvement in the gender budget for the last 3 years. This progress demonstrates that the project is promoting women’s empowerment,” he said
The dialogue brought together stakeholders, women, youth and civil society groups to discuss critical issues like the role of women in peace building, women’s economic empowerment, for women and climate gender governance.
