UNICEF Representative Appeals to SL Parliament for Increased Investment in Children

On June 23, 2025, the UNICEF Representative to Sierra Leone, Mr. Rudolf Schwenk, and his team paid a courtesy call on the Rt. Hon. Speaker of Parliament, Segepoh Solomon Thomas. During the visit, Mr. Schwenk commended the Speaker and the House of Parliament for their high ranking in the Open Parliament Index and appealed for increased public funding investment in children.

Mr. Schwenk acknowledged Sierra Leone’s strong policy commitments to children’s rights but emphasized that translating these commitments into tangible improvements in children’s lives requires effective and equitable implementation. He pointed out that while some districts are better resourced, others struggle to meet basic service needs due to structural challenges in budget allocation and service delivery.

He further noted that services aimed at preventing and responding to abuse, exploitation, and violence against children remain underfunded and overstretched, despite growing recognition of their importance.

“This is especially critical in light of rising rates of teenage pregnancy, which contribute to school dropouts, poor health outcomes, and a cycle of poverty that can span generations,” he stated.

Mr. Schwenk stressed that a child who is hungry, sick, or forced to walk long distances for clean water faces serious obstacles to educational success. He highlighted the need for integrated, multisectoral investments to achieve sustainable development—investments that align closely with the goals of Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan.

In response, Rt. Hon. Speaker Segepoh Solomon Thomas expressed gratitude to the UNICEF delegation for their visit and for recognizing Parliament’s consistent high ranking in transparency and openness. He reaffirmed Parliament’s unwavering support for the welfare of children, citing the passage of several progressive laws by the Sixth Parliament, including the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act of 2024.

The Speaker acknowledged challenges in the passage of the Child Rights Act, citing the wide range of opinions among Members of Parliament that have delayed the process. Nonetheless, he reaffirmed the Parliament’s strong interest in child-related issues.

He concluded by encouraging the UNICEF team to also engage the Ministry of Finance in advocating for increased public investment in children’s development.