Sierra Leone's Chief Justice Komba Kamanda receives gender equality award
By the AFREEQUE newsroom, based on Sierra Loaded
Sierra Leonean Chief Justice Komba Kamanda received the HeForShe Champion award at the SheArose Summit 2026 in Freetown. According to Deputy Minister of Tourism Kadijatu Grace Kamara, he is praised for creating three model courts for sexual offences and recruiting women judges.
Sierra Leonean Chief Justice Komba Kamanda received the HeForShe Champion award, which recognises his work to promote gender equality, Sierraloaded reports. The award was presented on Monday 9 November 2026 at the SheArose Summit 2026 in Freetown.
Since taking office in December 2024, Mr Kamanda has led several reforms aimed at increasing women's place in the justice system and strengthening access to justice, particularly in cases of sexual violence. Three courts specialised in these offences, known as Sexual Offences Model Courts, have been created in the provinces, and more women have been recruited as judges and magistrates. The judiciary has also appointed its first female legal researcher.
The Tonkolili district hosted the first Mile 91 magistrate's court, which has its first resident magistrate and covers four chiefdoms and ten sections. Court of Appeal hearings are now held in the provinces. Deputy Minister of Tourism and Cultural Affairs Dr Kadijatu Grace Kamara, founder of the SheArose Foundation, praised the Chief Justice's commitment and expressed the hope that other men would follow his example.
