State House, Freetown, Monday, 9 November 2026 – His Excellency President Dr Julius Maada Bio has reaffirmed his Government’s commitment to protecting children from all forms of violence, abuse and exploitation, while calling for stronger collaboration with the United Nations to advance children’s rights and welfare in Sierra Leone.
President Bio made this commitment when he received the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative on Violence Against Children, Dr Najat Maalla M’jid, who paid him a courtesy visit at his office in Freetown. The delegation was led by the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Madam Isata Mahoi.
Dr M’jid said the visit was an opportunity to recognise and appreciate President Bio’s contribution to the protection and advancement of children’s rights in Sierra Leone. She commended the President and his Government for their efforts in addressing issues affecting children and reaffirmed her commitment to advocating for children both locally and internationally.
She emphasised that protecting children from violence required a concerted effort, sustained investment and close cooperation between the Government and the international community. She particularly welcomed the inclusion of children’s welfare in President Bio’s national development agenda, describing it as an important foundation for strengthening cooperation and shared values with the United Nations.
The UN Special Representative also called for increased technical support to strengthen national systems and advance the President’s child-protection agenda. She encouraged the Government to sustain its efforts to address harmful practices, particularly female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage, and expressed appreciation for the opportunity to discuss the challenges affecting children with the President. She looked forward to strengthening the existing partnership with Sierra Leone.
In his response, President Bio welcomed Dr M’jid and her delegation and expressed appreciation for the United Nations’ continued support to his Government’s efforts to combat violence against children.
The President reaffirmed that protecting children was central to his human capital development agenda, stressing that every child deserved dignity, safety, access to quality education and the opportunity to realise their full potential.
He highlighted the Free Quality School Education programme as a flagship commitment of his Government and a central promise of the New Direction manifesto, noting that it had expanded access to education for children across Sierra Leone despite challenges arising from global economic pressures and other international crises.
President Bio stressed that every child had the fundamental right to grow up in a safe and supportive environment, access basic necessities, receive quality education and benefit from laws and institutions that enabled them to participate meaningfully in society.
On FGM and child marriage, the President acknowledged the sensitivity and seriousness of the issues, noting that addressing them required careful engagement and broad-based national consensus. He emphasised the importance of involving Parliament and religious leaders in the discussions, while maintaining the Government’s commitment to protecting children.
President Bio further acknowledged the contribution of the United Nations partnership to advancing child protection in Sierra Leone and expressed his desire to see greater progress through sustained cooperation and practical support.
The meeting reaffirmed the shared commitment of the Government of Sierra Leone and the United Nations to strengthening child-protection systems and ensuring that every child is protected from violence and afforded the opportunity to thrive.
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