Women Advocacy and Agricultural Development Organisation (WAADO) has yesterday held an inception meeting at the Western Area Rural District Council hall for a project titled: “Promoting the rights of victims of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Waterloo, Maboikandoh, and Tombo Communities.”
The €15000 project is funded by Purposeful and it’s designed for three years in the Western Area Rural District. Each year will receive €5000.
For a start, the project will look at Waterloo, Maboikandoh and Tombo communities.
In her submission during the meeting, Jugu Maureen Lawson, Program Officer –Purposeful, intimated that the project was borne out of the death of a girl child, who was raped to death sometime between 2020-2021. There were serious campaigns against rapists and SGBV that led President Bio to declare a State of Emergency against it.
Jugu stated that in order for them to consolidate the gains of those campaigns as advocate for the rights of the girl child, they decided to start up a Survival Solidarity Fund (SSF) which would have money largely coming in from Sierra Leoneans from within and without Sierra Leone to support victims and survivors of rape and SGBV.
She disclosed that the fight against Sexual and Gender Based Violence is very important, noting her excitement to work with WAADO in intensifying it.
D/ASP Josephine Yeama Khani, Line Manager of the Family Support Unit (FSU) of the Waterloo Police Division, assured her endorsement of the campaign on behalf of the Sierra Leone Police. She furthered that with collective support from across would only attain positives, pointing out that communities whether rich or poor are vulnerable to issues of SGVB.
Being excited, Bob Lamin, Communication & Advocacy Manager, Rainbo Initiative, thanked Purposeful for providing the necessary support to WAADO in the fight against SGBV. He said that SGBV is not exclusive to women, men also suffer it. And there’s a need to protect the rights of everyone concerned.
“Data collected in the last three years has shown an increase in the number of men suffering sexual abuse. In 2021, we had 20 cases; in 2022 there were 24, and last year we collected 29. This clearly shows there is a change in the trend.”
Bob Lamin believed that if expertises are put together, they will achieve their set goals.
Deputy Chairman of the Western Area Rural District Council, Robert Brown, committed the leadership of the district council to support WAADO in the fight against SGBV.
Outlining strides made by the district council in tackling the SGBV, Robert Brown indicated that their leadership has airlifted women to positions of trust in assurance of their rights and freedom.
“Western Area Rural District, especially Waterloo was notorious SGBV, but with advocacy we have been able to reduce it drastically. We are not tired yet we will keep fighting. We want to thank WAADO, Rainbo, and the FSU department in Waterloo. We also want to extend our thanks and appreciation to Purposeful and all the other parties involved.”
Brown encouraged victims and their relatives to speak up and report cases to the relevant authorities.
“That’s the only we can win this fight.”
Executive Director of WAADO, Madam Doris Fatima Webber, averred that “gender-based violence is a significant issue in Western Area Rural, with women and girls experiencing various forms of violence and discrimination due to their gender.”
“The prevalence of violence against women affects all segments of society regardless of their social or economic status. The most common forms of gender-based violence in Western Area Rural District include Female Genital Mutilation {FGM}, physical violence, sexual violence and, emotional abuse. These forms of violence can occur in a range of settings, including the home, the workplace, and public spaces,” she added, pointing:
“The Sierra Leone government has taken steps to address gender-based violence, including passing policies and laws, and increasing awareness through public campaigns. However, much work remains to be done to prevent and address gender-based violence in Sierra Leone, including addressing social norms and beliefs that perpetuate violence against women and girls, providing better support and resources for survivors of violence, ensuring that perpetrators are held accountable for their actions and tackling FGM and child marriage, which remains a concern.”
Doris Webber revealed that her project is set to target the following objectives:
“To create awareness around Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and educate communities on what constitutes SGBV. To provide a free, confidential and non-judgmental support service for victims of SGBV. To promote the culture of seeking help for the SGBV victims and help to eradicate the stigma attached to the victims. Increase 10,000 citizens’ knowledge on the three genders Act for women and girls to know their right, report violence and how to reject sexual violence and harmful gender practice. Increase number of cases reported to the family support unit and transcends those cases to court for speedy trial.”
She has therefore appealed for the support of all in the attainment of these.
