The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) recently met to discuss the Rural Finance Project – Phase II, which is a collaborative effort to increase financial access for women in Sierra Leone’s rural communities. Officials discussed plans to expand community banks that provide loans to women for small businesses, education for their children, and better housing. Complementary measures under consideration include expanded financial literacy programs and assistance with farming mechanisation to increase productivity and improve borrowers’ credit management abilities.
To ensure inclusive participation in rural economic development, a strong emphasis was placed on capacity building that reaches out to all women, specifically women with disabilities. The partners also discussed gender and youth inclusion strategies to ensure that project benefits reach a larger and more diverse group of rural residents. To protect beneficiaries, the meeting emphasised the importance of raising awareness about gender-based violence (GBV) and strengthening women’s rights protections in remote communities, as well as incorporating prevention and response measures into project activities.
Both institutions reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration, raising project visibility, and broadening outreach so that more rural women can receive financial services and support. The Ministry and IFAD hope that this partnership will improve livelihoods, strengthen women’s economic independence, and accelerate progress toward gender equality across Sierra Leone’s countryside.
