The Women Environmental Programme Sierra Leone (WEP-SL) has continued its advocacy against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) by engaging youths, teenage girls, traditional leaders, women groups and other stakeholders in the Kolley Town and Kroo Bay communities respectively, in Freetown.
The community sensitization programme, held on Saturday, 20th June 2026, forms part of WEP-SL’s ongoing efforts to promote equal opportunities for women and girls, strengthen the fight against gender-based violence, and advocate for safer spaces for women’s participation in politics and leadership.
The outreach was conducted under the theme: “Strengthening Policies for Women and Children’s Rights in Sierra Leone,” with the campaign slogan “Strong Policies: Strong Families, Stronger Communities.”
Addressing participants during the engagements, WEP-SL Chief Executive Officer, Madam Stalina Princess H. Voegli, emphasized the critical role women and children play in national development.
“Women and children are the foundation of every strong community. When women are empowered and children are protected, families thrive, communities prosper, and the nation develops,” she stated.
Madam Voegli noted that despite significant progress made in advancing women’s and children’s rights in Sierra Leone, many continue to face challenges, including gender-based violence, child marriage, teenage pregnancy, discrimination, exclusion from decision-making processes, and limited access to quality education.
She explained that the advocacy campaign seeks to raise awareness among community members, leaders and policymakers on the need to strengthen policies and ensure the effective implementation of laws designed to protect women and children.
According to her, women deserve equal opportunities to participate in leadership and decision-making at household, community and national levels. She condemned all forms of violence against women and girls, describing them as violations of fundamental human rights.
“Communities, traditional leaders and institutions must work together to prevent and report all forms of abuse. Women and girls should enjoy equal access to education, healthcare, employment, land ownership and economic opportunities,” she stressed.
Madam Voegli further called on government institutions and communities to support the stronger enforcement of laws protecting women from discrimination, violence and exploitation.
“Women’s voices matter. Their contributions are essential for sustainable development, social cohesion and peacebuilding,” she concluded.
Speaking on behalf of the traditional authorities in Kolley Town, Chief Pa Alimamy Koroma welcomed the initiative and described it as timely and relevant.
He said protecting women and children is a collective responsibility that requires the active involvement of parents, community leaders, religious institutions and government agencies.
“We fully support advocacy programmes that promote the rights of women and children and help prevent violence within our communities. Such engagements empower citizens with knowledge and encourage positive social change,” he noted.
Representing the women of Kolley Town, Chairlady Fatmata Dumbuya expressed appreciation to WEP-SL for bringing the awareness campaign to the community.
She said the engagement was particularly important in addressing harmful cultural practices and social challenges affecting women and girls.
“In some communities, poverty continues to contribute to early child marriage and school dropouts among girls. We must continue to educate parents and guardians on the importance of protecting children’s rights and supporting girls’ education,” she said.
Mrs. Dumbuya called on community members to speak out against all forms of abuse and discrimination and work collectively towards building a safer and more inclusive society.
One of the facilitators, Mariatu Turay, reminded community stakeholders that every child has the right to be freed from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
“Girls belong in school, not in marriage. Child marriage deprives children of their rights, opportunities and future aspirations,” she emphasized.
She encouraged communities to support education, mentorship and awareness programmes that empower adolescents to make informed decisions.
“Every child deserves access to safe, inclusive and quality education regardless of gender or social background. Parents, teachers, community leaders and all stakeholders have a shared responsibility to protect children and promote their well-being,” she added.
Meanwhile, stakeholders in the Kroo Bay community also welcomed the awareness campaign and pledged their support towards advancing the rights of women and children.
Speaking on behalf of community stakeholders, Alhaji Ibrahim Sesay described the sensitization programme as an eye-opener that highlighted the urgent need to address violence, discrimination and social exclusion affecting women and girls.
He noted that stronger collaboration between community members, civil society organizations and government institutions is essential in creating safer environments for women and children.
“We must ensure that women and girls are protected, respected and given equal opportunities to contribute to national development. Community leaders must lead by example in promoting justice, equality and human dignity,” he stated.
Representing the women of Kroo Bay, Hawa Kamara commended WEP-SL for empowering women with knowledge about their rights and responsibilities.
She said many women in underserved communities often lack access to information about legal protections available to them.
“This engagement has encouraged women to speak up against violence and seek support when their rights are violated. We will continue to educate our daughters and support initiatives that promote education, safety and economic empowerment for women and girls,” she said.
The advocacy programme ended with a renewed commitment from community stakeholders in both Congo Town and Kroo Bay to champion the protection of women and children and support policies aimed at building stronger families and safer communities across Sierra Leone.
