FROM POST-WAR SCARS TO REGIONAL MODEL — ECOWAS HAILS SIERRA LEONE’S WOMEN AS THE NEW ARCHITECTS OF PEACE

The Economic Community of West African States has spotlighted Sierra Leone as a leading example in the region for turning policy into practice on the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

Speaking at a national training session co-hosted by ECOWAS and the Government of Sierra Leone, the ECOWAS Resident Representative, Ambassador John Azumah, described the country’s progress as proof that inclusive governance is not an ideal, but a strategy for lasting stability.

“ Sierra Leone’s efforts on Women, Peace and Security stand out as a strong example of how giving women a seat at decision-making tables promotes sustainable peace,” Ambassador Azumah told participants drawn from government ministries, civil society, and security institutions. The training focused on strengthening national reporting mechanisms to track commitments under UN Security Council Resolution 1325 and the ECOWAS WPS framework.

For a nation still drawing lessons from its civil war, the commendation carries weight. Over the past years, Sierra Leone has increased women’s participation in peacebuilding, local governance, and security sector dialogue, while integrating WPS indicators into national planning.

Ambassador Azumah noted that credible data and regular reporting are critical to maintaining momentum and attracting support. He urged institutions to move beyond statements and document real impact: more women mediators, more gender-responsive budgets, and more protection for women in conflict-affected communities.

Government officials welcomed ECOWAS’s recognition and pledged to use the new reporting tools to showcase results and identify gaps. With regional attention now fixed on Freetown, the message was clear: Sierra Leone is shifting from remembering the cost of war to building peace with women at the center.