Sierra Leone has completed a key step toward strengthening its data systems with a joint training initiative by UNICEF and Statistics Sierra Leone (Stats SL) ahead of a nationwide survey on the well-being of women and children.
The ten-day Computer-Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) Pretest and Training of Trainers (ToT), held in Freetown from 4–13 August, brought together 32 staff from Stats SL’s Demographic Health & Social Statistics and Data Science divisions.
The program is part of preparations for the Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey (MICS-7), an internationally recognized household survey designed to produce robust data on child health, nutrition, education, sanitation, child protection, and domestic violence.
Participants were trained in digital data collection tools, standardized interview protocols, and tested the system in real-world settings to refine survey tools for cultural relevance and accuracy. A core group of master trainers will now go on to train field teams across the country.
UNICEF said the initiative is intended to ensure Sierra Leone can produce credible, high-quality data that meets international standards, guiding both government policy and donor investment.
MICS, developed by UNICEF and implemented in more than 100 countries, is regarded as one of the most reliable global data sources on children and women.
The successful pretest and training mark a major milestone in Sierra Leone’s preparation for MICS-7, underscoring the country’s push toward evidence-based planning and sustainable development.
