The United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) has called on the Speaker of Parliament, Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas, to facilitate the establishment of a Parliamentary Caucus for Children. This appeal was made during a courtesy call by a high-level UNICEF delegation to the Speaker at Parliament. Discussions centered on strengthening collaboration between UNICEF and Parliament to promote and protect the rights and welfare of children in Sierra Leone.
UNICEF Representative in Sierra Leone, Mariko Kagosima, commended the Speaker for his leadership in ensuring the enactment of the landmark Prohibition of Child Marriage Act. She called for sustained collaboration between UNICEF and Parliament to advance initiatives aimed at protecting children across the country. This collaboration aims to address various challenges facing children in Sierra Leone.
The Acting Deputy Representative, Nkandu Chilombo, highlighted the strategic importance of the Parliamentary Budget Office. UNICEF has scheduled a half-day working session with the office next week, involving selected Members of Parliament. The session will focus on strengthening the capacity of the Budget Office, particularly in budget debates and analysis relating to the social sector.
UNICEF Social Policy Specialist, Kelvin Mutambirwa, called for deeper engagement with the Office of the Speaker and the Parliamentary Budget Office on budgetary processes. UNICEF wants to ensure that allocations intended for children reach their intended beneficiaries. The proposed working session will also examine Parliament's role in budget implementation and oversight.
UNICEF Chief of Communications, Suzanne Wooster, thanked the Speaker for his leadership during last year's World Children's Day celebrations. She recalled that one of the key calls to action from the event was the establishment of a Parliamentary Caucus for Children. She urged the Speaker to facilitate the formation of the caucus before this year's celebration on November 20, 2026.
Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas welcomed the UNICEF delegation and reaffirmed Parliament's commitment to being a progressive and child-friendly institution. He encouraged UNICEF to continue engaging his office whenever support is needed, particularly on issues relating to children's welfare. The Speaker reiterated his personal commitment to children's rights, citing his role in the enactment of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act.
The establishment of a Parliamentary Caucus for Children aims to promote and protect the rights and welfare of children in Sierra Leone. UNICEF's engagement with Parliament reflects its commitment to collaborating with the government to advance the rights and well-being of children. The caucus will play a crucial role in ensuring that children's issues are prioritized in Parliament's agenda.
Key points
- UNICEF urges Sierra Leone's Parliament to establish a dedicated caucus for children ahead of World Children's Day on November 20, 2026.
- The proposed caucus aims to promote and protect the rights and welfare of children in Sierra Leone.
- UNICEF has scheduled a working session with the Parliamentary Budget Office to strengthen its capacity in budget debates and analysis relating to the social sector.
