Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Alpha Sesay Esq., has called for stronger coordination among institutions involved in responding to sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV), stressing that justice for survivors can only be achieved through an effective and connected response system.
In his keynote address, Alpha Sesay Esq., described the monitoring report under review as an important evidence-based document that goes beyond assumptions to provide an honest assessment of the realities confronting survivors across the country. He noted that the findings highlight critical challenges relating to staffing, confidentiality, accessibility of services, institutional coordination, and delays within the justice system.
“The report reminds us that ending sexual and gender-based violence is not the responsibility of one institution alone, it requires a collective effort and an effective response chain where every actor plays their role,” he stated
The Attorney General acknowledged the significant progress Sierra Leone has made in recent years through legal reforms, institutional strengthening, the establishment of one-stop centres, Family Support Units, survivor support programmes, and increased national attention to gender-based violence issues. However, he emphasized that the existence of laws and structures alone does not guarantee justice.
According to Alpha Sesay Esq. access to justice must be viewed as a complete process that begins when a survivor makes the difficult decision to report an incident and continues through investigation, medical examination, psychosocial support, legal review, prosecution, and adjudication. He warned that weaknesses at any stage of that chain can undermine outcomes for survivors and erode public confidence in the justice system.
He further welcomed constructive dialogue on practical reforms aimed at improving efficiency, reducing delays, and strengthening trust in justice institutions. Sustainable progress, he noted, requires coordinated action across multiple sectors, including law enforcement, healthcare, social welfare services, prosecution authorities, and the judiciary.
The Attorney General urged stakeholders to use the validation process as an opportunity not only to identify challenges but also to develop realistic, practical, and sustainable solutions that can be implemented within existing institutional frameworks.
Reaffirming the commitment of the Office of the Attorney General and Ministry of Justice, Mr. Sesay pledged continued collaboration with the judiciary, the Sierra Leone Police, the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, the Ministry of Health, development partners, and civil society organizations working to strengthen the national response to SGBV.
He concluded by emphasizing that every improvement made to the system strengthens protections for women, girls, children, and vulnerable persons, while advancing the broader goal of a Sierra Leone where survivors are protected, offenders are held accountable, and justice remains accessible to all.
The National Technical Joint Monitoring Session brought together government institutions, development partners, civil society organizations, and other stakeholders to review progress, assess challenges, and explore ways of enhancing the country’s response to sexual and gender-based violence.
