– Gender Minister Reveals
Freetown,
On June 12, 2025, Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi, delivered a sobering account of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) statistics for 2024, revealing persistent challenges in safeguarding the nation’s most vulnerable, particularly women and children. The disquieting data was presented during the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press briefing on Tuesday, offering a stark glimpse into the pervasive nature of this societal issue.
Dr. Mahoi disclosed that a total of 2,771 GBV cases were formally reported in the preceding year. A deeply concerning majority, 2,744 of these cases, involved female victims, while 27 cases affected males. A more granular breakdown of the statistics further highlighted the severity and prevalence of sexual abuse, with 2,607 cases falling under this category, alongside 164 instances of physical abuse. Among the most harrowing revelations was the age of the youngest survivors: a two-month-old infant was the youngest victim of sexual abuse recorded in 2024, and a nine-month-old child was the youngest to endure physical abuse.
Despite the grim figures, Minister Mahoi offered a nuanced perspective on the apparent rise in reported cases. She attributed this increase not necessarily to an escalation in violence itself, but rather to the positive impact of recent legal reforms enacted by the government. These legislative advancements, she explained, have significantly emboldened victims, fostering an environment where they feel safer and more empowered to come forward and seek justice. “This increase in reporting is not necessarily a sign of rising violence, but rather a reflection of improved awareness, legal frameworks, and community engagement,” she affirmed, emphasizing the growing trust in the justice system.
In her address, Dr. Mahoi reiterated the crucial availability of the 116 toll-free hotline, a vital resource operational across all mobile networks. This hotline serves as a direct link, connecting callers to immediate support and referral services through designated one-stop centers established to provide comprehensive assistance to GBV survivors. The Minister also took the opportunity to commend the tireless efforts of local partners, specifically praising the Rainbow Initiative and various other grassroots organizations for their unwavering dedication to supporting GBV survivors throughout Sierra Leone.
Shifting to another pressing matter, Dr. Mahoi confirmed that all nurses on duty during the distressing disappearance of a child at Cottage Hospital, are currently in police custody. She assured the public that investigations are actively underway, with authorities working diligently to uncover the full circumstances surrounding the incident.
Concluding her remarks, Minister Mahoi issued a powerful call to action, urging the judiciary to implement more decisive measures and advocating for broader institutional support to fortify the national response to gender-based violence. “Justice must be swift and uncompromising. Survivors deserve nothing less,” she declared, reinforcing the government’s commitment to ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable and victims receive the justice and support they so desperately need.