Connecting policy to practice on safe learning
Sierra Leone case study
About
Violence is a daily reality for many children in Sierra Leone – at school, at home, and in their communities. Nearly 9 out of 10 children aged 1-14 years in Sierra Leone experience some form of violent discipline in the household. At school and on often long, unsafe commutes, learners face corporal punishment, bullying, sexual and gender-based violence, and abuse.
Sierra Leone has taken great strides to ensure safe learning environments for all learners. Since endorsing the Safe to Learn Call to Action in 2019, the country has demonstrated strong leadership in advancing safe learning. This case study highlights the policies, partnerships and actions that have helped strengthen safe learning across the country.
The Technical Assistance Initiative on Safe Learning, a partnership between the Global Partnership for Education (GPE) and Safe to Learn, aims to build country capacity to integrate violence prevention and response mechanisms within national education systems and create safe learning environments for girls and boys, in all their diversity. The Government of Sierra Leone, in partnership with UNICEF, has been implementing the initiative since 2024.
