The United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) has lauded the Parliament of Sierra Leone for its high score in the Open Parliament Index, while calling for increased public investment in children’s welfare and services.
UNICEF Representative to Sierra Leone, Rudolf Schwenk, led a delegation to the House of Parliament on Monday, June 23, 2025, where they met with Speaker of Parliament Rt. Hon. Segepoh Solomon Thomas. During the courtesy call, Schwenk congratulated the Speaker and the entire House for their strong showing in the Open Parliament Index, which measures transparency, accountability, and civic engagement.
In his address, Schwenk praised Sierra Leone’s policy commitments toward children’s rights but stressed the need for equitable implementation. He warned that disparities in district-level resource allocation are hampering progress and called attention to underfunded and overstretched services for the prevention of child abuse, exploitation, and violence.
“This is especially critical in light of rising rates of teenage pregnancy, which contribute to school dropout, poor health outcomes, and a cycle of intergenerational poverty,” Schwenk said. He emphasized that integrated, multi-sectoral investments are essential to improving children’s lives and advancing the country’s Medium-Term National Development Plan.
Speaker Thomas expressed gratitude for the visit and the commendation from UNICEF. He reaffirmed Parliament’s commitment to child welfare, highlighting legislative achievements such as the enactment of the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act, 2024.
However, the Speaker acknowledged challenges with the stalled passage of the Child Rights Act, attributing delays to divergent views among lawmakers. “The Sixth Parliament remains deeply invested in issues concerning children,” Speaker Thomas said.
He urged UNICEF to also engage the Ministry of Finance to explore avenues for increasing budgetary allocations to child-focused initiatives.
The meeting reinforced growing calls for systemic reforms to ensure that children in Sierra Leone receive the support and protection necessary for their development and well-being.
