Alignment to SDG’s

SLEFPAC SGBV AND CHILD RIGHTS MECHANISM ALIGNMENT TO SDGs, CEDAW, CRC AND AU FRAMEWORKS 

Alignment of the Sierra Leone Female Parliamentary Caucus mechanisms, processes and procedures with international and regional normative frameworks — SDGs, CEDAW, CRC, and AU frameworks.

1. ALIGNMENT WITH THE SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOALS (SDGs)

SDG 5: Gender Equality

Targets:

  • 5.1 End discrimination against women and girls
  • 5.2 Eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls
  • 5.3 Eliminate harmful practices (child marriage, FGM)
  • 5.5 Ensure women’s full participation in leadership

Caucus Alignment:

  • Sponsorship and advocacy for Child Marriage Prohibition laws
  • Oversight of the Sexual Offences Act
  • Lobbying for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment legislation
  • Promotion of women’s leadership and representation in Parliament

➡ Outcome: Strengthens legal, political and institutional protection against SGBV and harmful practices.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

Targets:

  • 16.1 Reduce violence
  • 16.3 Promote rule of law and access to justice
  • 16.6 Develop accountable institutions

Caucus Alignment:

  • Parliamentary oversight of justice institutions handling SGBV cases
  • Engagement with police, judiciary and ministries on enforcement gaps
  • Motions and resolutions reinforcing accountability for child abuse cases

➡ Outcome: Improves institutional response, justice delivery and trust in state protection systems.

SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities

Targets:

  • 10.2 Promote social inclusion
  • 10.3 Eliminate discriminatory practices

Caucus Alignment:

  • Advocacy for inclusive laws protecting children with disabilities
  • Promotion of non-discrimination in child protection and SGBV responses
  • Engagement with disability rights organizations

➡ Outcome: Ensures vulnerable children and women are not excluded from protection frameworks.

2. ALIGNMENT WITH CEDAW (Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Discrimination Against Women)

CEDAW Articles 1, 2 & 5

Obligations:

  • Eliminate discrimination against women
  • Modify social and cultural practices that perpetuate inequality

Caucus Alignment:

  • Legislative advocacy against child marriage and sexual violence
  • Parliamentary debates challenging harmful norms
  • Community sensitization by female MPs

➡ CEDAW Compliance: Addresses both legal discrimination and social norms sustaining SGBV.

CEDAW Article 7 & 8

Obligations:

  • Ensure women’s participation in political and public life

Caucus Alignment:

  • Cross-party female caucus strengthens women’s collective voice
  • Mentorship and leadership initiatives for women and girls
  • Advocacy for gender-responsive parliamentary procedures

➡ CEDAW Compliance: Enhances women’s political participation and influence over national policy.

CEDAW General Recommendation No. 19 & 35 (GBV)

Obligations:

  • Recognize gender-based violence as discrimination
  • Ensure prevention, protection, prosecution and redress

Caucus Alignment:

  • Oversight of Sexual Offences Act implementation
  • Parliamentary engagement with survivor-support institutions
  • Calls for budgetary allocations for SGBV response services

➡ CEDAW Compliance: Strengthens state accountability for GBV prevention and response.

3. ALIGNMENT WITH CRC (Convention on the Rights of the Child)

CRC Article 3: Best Interests of the Child

Caucus Alignment:

  • Legislative prioritization of child protection laws
  • Advocacy framing child rights as national obligations

➡ Outcome: Child welfare placed at the centre of legislative decision-making.

CRC Article 19: Protection from Abuse and Violence

Caucus Alignment:

  • Monitoring enforcement of laws protecting children from sexual abuse
  • Engagement with police Family Support Units and child welfare agencies

➡ Outcome: Strengthened legislative oversight over child protection systems.

CRC Article 24 & 34

Obligations:

  • Protect children from harmful practices and sexual exploitation

Caucus Alignment:

  • Advocacy against child marriage
  • Legislative scrutiny of cultural practices harming children
  • Engagement with communities on prevention

➡ Outcome: Aligns national law reform with international child protection standards.

CRC Article 12: Child Participation

Caucus Alignment:

  • Engagement with CSOs and child advocates who represent children’s voices
  • Inclusion of child-centered evidence in parliamentary debates

➡ Outcome: Ensures children’s experiences inform policymaking indirectly.

4. ALIGNMENT WITH AFRICAN UNION (AU) FRAMEWORKS

Maputo Protocol (Protocol on the Rights of Women in Africa)

Key Articles:

  • Article 4: Right to life, integrity and security
  • Article 5: Elimination of harmful practices
  • Article 8: Access to justice

Caucus Alignment:

  • Legislative action against SGBV and harmful practices
  • Oversight of justice delivery for survivors
  • Advocacy for survivor-centered legal reforms

➡ AU Compliance: Advances women’s bodily autonomy and access to justice.

African Charter on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACRWC)

Key Articles:

  • Article 16: Protection against abuse and torture
  • Article 21: Protection against harmful social and cultural practices

Caucus Alignment:

  • Parliamentary scrutiny of child abuse cases
  • Legal advocacy against child marriage and sexual exploitation
  • Community sensitization by MPs

➡ AU Compliance: Reinforces regional child protection commitments.

AU Gender Equality & Women’s Empowerment Strategy (2018–2028)

Strategic Areas:

  • Women’s leadership and participation
  • Ending violence against women and girls
  • Strengthening institutions

Caucus Alignment:

  • Female MPs’ collective leadership in Parliament
  • Advocacy for gender-responsive laws
  • Oversight of executive performance on gender commitments

➡ AU Compliance: Positions Parliament as a key driver of gender equality.

AU Agenda 2063

Aspiration 6:
“An Africa whose development is people-driven, relying on the potential of African women and youth.”

Caucus Alignment:

  • Promotion of girls’ rights and protection
  • Youth and child-centered legislative advocacy
  • Women-led parliamentary reform initiatives

➡ Outcome: Aligns parliamentary action with Africa’s long-term development vision.

5. STRATEGIC VALUE OF THIS ALIGNMENT

Through its work, the Sierra Leone Female Parliamentary Caucus:

✔ Translates international and regional commitments into national law
✔ Strengthens parliamentary accountability for SGBV and child rights
✔ Advances rights-based, inclusive and survivor-centered governance
✔ Positions Sierra Leone as a compliant and progressive state under SDGs, CEDAW, CRC and AU instruments

The mechanisms, processes and procedures of the Sierra Leone Female Parliamentary Caucus are fully aligned with global and African human rights frameworks.
By integrating legislative action, oversight, advocacy and community engagement, the Caucus operationalizes Sierra Leone’s treaty obligations and ensures that women, children and vulnerable groups are protected through Parliament’s constitutional mandate.

SLEFPAC MECHANISM FLOW CHART AND SOPS STYLE PROCEDURE:

The Sierra Leone Female Parliamentary Caucus operationally addresses SGBV and child rights abuses, fully aligned with SDGs, CEDAW, CRC and AU frameworks.

FLOWCHART 1: LEGISLATIVE RESPONSE TO SGBV / CHILD RIGHTS ABUSE

Identification of SGBV / Child Rights Issue

        ↓

Evidence Gathering

(CSOs, Ministries, Survivors’ Data, UN Reports)

        ↓

Female Parliamentary Caucus Meeting

(Internal Review & Consensus)

        ↓

Alignment with SDGs / CEDAW / CRC / AU Frameworks

        ↓

Legislative Strategy Decision

(Bill, Amendment, Motion or Resolution)

        ↓

Pre-Plenary Lobbying

(Male MPs, Party Leadership, Committees)

        ↓

Plenary Debate & Voting

        ↓

Law / Resolution Passed

        ↓

Oversight & Implementation Monitoring

Framework Alignment:

  • SDG 5, SDG 16
  • CEDAW Arts. 1, 2, 5, GR 35
  • CRC Arts. 3, 19
  • Maputo Protocol Arts. 4, 5

FLOWCHART 2: OVERSIGHT & ACCOUNTABILITY PROCESS

Law / Policy in Force

        ↓

Reports of SGBV / Child Rights Violations

        ↓

Committee Engagement

(Gender, Human Rights, Social Services)

        ↓

Summoning of MDAs

(Gender Ministry, Police, Justice, Social Welfare)

        ↓

Parliamentary Questions / Hearings

        ↓

Identification of Gaps

(Enforcement, Budget, Services)

        ↓

Recommendations / Motions

        ↓

Follow-Up Oversight & Reporting

Framework Alignment:

  • SDG 16.3 & 16.6
  • CEDAW GR 19 & 35
  • CRC Arts. 4 & 19
  • AU Agenda 2063 (Accountable Institutions)

SLEFPAC SOP PROCEDURES (STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES)

SOP 1: Handling SGBV & Child Rights Issues in Parliament

Purpose

To ensure timely, coordinated and rights-based parliamentary action on SGBV and child rights violations.

Responsible Body

Female Parliamentary Caucus Executive & Members

Procedure

  1. Issue Identification
    1. Receive reports from CSOs, ministries, constituents or UN partners.
  2. Verification
    1. Request briefings or data from relevant institutions.
  3. Caucus Deliberation
    1. Convene caucus meeting to assess legal and policy gaps.
  4. Framework Check
    1. Align response with SDGs, CEDAW, CRC and AU instruments.
  5. Action Selection
    1. Decide whether to pursue:
      1. Bill
      1. Amendment
      1. Motion
      1. Resolution
  6. Execution
    1. Implement parliamentary action.
  7. Documentation
    1. Record outcomes for reporting and follow-up.

SOP 2: Pre-Legislative Lobbying & Consensus-Building

Purpose

To build cross-party and gender-inclusive support for SGBV and child protection legislation.

Procedure

  1. Internal caucus briefing on draft law
  2. Identification of key male MPs and party leaders
  3. One-on-one and group advocacy meetings
  4. Framing issue as:
    1. National obligation
    1. Constitutional duty
    1. International treaty commitment
  5. Address concerns and negotiate amendments
  6. Secure voting commitments

Framework Alignment:

  • CEDAW Art. 7
  • SDG 5.5
  • AU Gender Strategy (Leadership)

SOP 3: Parliamentary Oversight of SGBV & Child Protection Laws

Purpose

To ensure enforcement and effectiveness of existing laws.

Procedure

  1. Request periodic reports from MDAs
  2. Hold committee hearings
  3. Question ministers and agency heads
  4. Review budget allocations for SGBV services
  5. Issue parliamentary recommendations
  6. Track implementation progress

Framework Alignment:

  • SDG 16
  • CEDAW GR 35
  • CRC Art. 4

SOP 4: Engagement with Survivors & Civil Society

Purpose

To ensure survivor-centred and evidence-based parliamentary action.

Procedure

  1. Engage CSOs and service providers
  2. Receive anonymized survivor data
  3. Identify systemic gaps in protection
  4. Integrate findings into debates and motions
  5. Advocate for survivor support funding

Framework Alignment:

  • CRC Art. 12
  • CEDAW GR 33 & 35
  • Maputo Protocol Art. 8

SOP 5: Public Advocacy & Awareness

Purpose

To reinforce Parliament’s zero-tolerance stance on SGBV and child abuse.

Procedure

  1. Participate in national awareness campaigns
  2. Issue parliamentary statements
  3. Engage media responsibly
  4. Conduct constituency sensitization
  5. Promote reporting and justice mechanisms

Framework Alignment:

  • SDG 5.2
  • CRC Art. 19
  • AU Agenda 2063 (People-driven development)

FLOWCHART 3: COMMUNITY-TO-PARLIAMENT RESPONSE LOOP

Community Reports Abuse

        ↓

CSOs / MPs Receive Information

        ↓

Female Caucus Engagement

        ↓

Parliamentary Action

(Motion / Oversight / Law Reform)

        ↓

Executive Action

(Police, Courts, Social Services)

        ↓

Feedback to Parliament

        ↓

Further Oversight or Reform

STRATEGIC VALUE OF THESE FLOWCHARTS & SOPs

Demonstrate institutional maturity of the Female Parliamentary Caucus
Meet donor, UN and AU accountability standards
Enable monitoring, evaluation and reporting
Translate international commitments into practical parliamentary action