Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL), in partnership with the FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Food Security (MAFFS), has launched the 2024 Women’s Empowerment and Nutrition Survey (WENS) Report and anonymized microdata. The survey provides new insights into the intersection of gender, agriculture, and nutrition in Sierra Leone.
The launch event at New Sella Sport, King Harman Road, brought together government officials, UN agencies, civil society, and development partners. Deputy Statistician-General Lansana Kpewolo Kanneh emphasized the importance of evidence-based policymaking, linking women’s roles in agriculture directly to household food security and nutrition, key components of the Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP 2024–2030).
Dr. Tenema Theresa Dick, Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, highlighted women as the backbone of the country’s agricultural economy, noting that data provides insight into both their resilience and the challenges they face.
Key findings include:
Women participate widely in agriculture but have limited decision-making power.
Over half of surveyed women reported little control over household finances.
Traditional systems continue to restrict women’s land ownership.
Significant gaps remain in leadership, financial inclusion, and nutritional autonomy.
The survey, conducted under the 50×2030 Initiative, used advanced metrics developed by IFPRI and FAO, including the Women’s Empowerment Metric and Minimum Dietary Diversity modules. Data collection prioritized female enumerators to ensure privacy and authenticity.
The WENS 2024 report and microdata are publicly available for policymakers, researchers, and development organizations. The Deputy Minister described the release as “a powerful tool to shape a future where Sierra Leonean women are not only feeding the nation but also leading it.”
By James Conteh
