The United Nations Girls’ Education Initiative’s (UNGEI) Gender at the Centre Initiative (GCI) is an international collaboration between civil society and international organizations, aimed at promoting gender equality in education across eight pilot countries in sub-Saharan Africa. In Sierra Leone, Plan International and Education For All Coalition have partnered to enhance girls’ retention in schools by establishing a protective and empowering environment. This initiative operates in four districts, including Moyamba, Port Loko, Western Rural, and Western Urban, in collaboration with eight Ministries, including the Ministry of Basic and Senior Secondary Education (MBBSE), since November 2021. Sierra Leone still faces significant challenges with gender discrimination in political, economic, social, cultural, and justice domains, leading to barriers for women and girls in accessing education. The number of girls enrolled in schools decreases as they progress to higher levels of education. This gender inequality is a fundamental cause of obstacles to sustainable development in the country. Schools are common settings for School-Related Gender-Based Violence (SRGBV), affecting a considerable portion of the young population. SRGBV encompasses various forms of violence, such as psychological, sexual, emotional, and physical, occurring within schools and during journeys to and from school. The project tackles these issues through multiple approaches, including training, advocacy, lobbying,
coaching, and mentoring, aiming to garner significant support for girls by engaging key stakeholders. In collaboration with MBSSE the focus is on addressing the barriers hindering girls’ access to education aligning with MBSSE’s Education Sector Plan and Radical Inclusion policy.