Laws of the land: building peace from the ground up in Sierra Leone

This report sets out the key challenges and opportunities for peacebuilding, conflict prevention, natural resource governance, gender justice, and the protection of human rights defenders in Sierra Leone.

Christian Aid and our local partners have jointly submitted this report to the upcoming United Nations Universal Periodic Review (UPR) of Sierra Leone which will take place in 2026.

The report highlights how ineffective and unjust management of land, minerals, and other natural resources has fuelled both past and ongoing conflicts in Sierra Leone. Despite recent legislative progress on these issues---such as the Customary Land Rights Act 2022, the Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment Act 2022 and the National Land Commission Act 2022---implementation remains limited and inconsistent.

Most women in Sierra Leone work in the informal sector, yet current laws and policies do not adequately protect their rights or ensure their participation in decision-making. The report states the urgent need to criminalise female genital mutilation (FGM), in line with a landmark ECOWAS Court ruling of July 2025, and urges the Sierra Leone government to conduct comprehensive gender impact assessments in all policymaking.

In addition, the report showcases the work of a UN Peacebuilding Funded programme being implemented by Christian Aid and partners, WoNES, the 50/50 Group, NMJD and Green Scenery, to improve women's land rights.