By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
The European Union (EU) has officially launched the second phase of its 2025 Bus Tour, beginning Monday, 1st December 2025, this phase will cover several key districts, including Kenema, Bo, Bonthe, Port Loko, and communities around the Gola Forest region. Running until 5th December, the initiative aims to intensify nationwide advocacy on sexual and Gender-Based violence (SGBV) and strengthen community engagement in the fight against all forms of abuse.
This leg of the tour focuses on equipping grassroots communities with accurate, practical information on preventing and responding to SGBV, organisers say their goal is to boost public awareness, encourage timely reporting of incidents, and deepen collaboration between local communities, government institutions, and civil society organisations.
At each stop, the EU team and its partners will conduct interactive dialogues, educational sessions, and visibility activities that highlight the EU’s ongoing support to human rights, justice sector reforms, and community development in Sierra Leone, facilitators will also spotlight EU-funded initiatives promoting gender equality, protecting vulnerable populations, and advancing sustainable development.
According to officials coordinating the event, increasing community participation is central to the tour’s impact.
our goal is to ensure that citizens especially women, girls, and community leaders are fully engaged and equipped with the knowledge they need to prevent and respond to SGBV, organisers explained, this tour reinforces the EU’s strong partnership with Sierra Leone in building safer communities and strengthening human rights protections.
Now in its 2025 edition, the EU Bus Tour has grown into a flagship platform for nationwide dialogue, public education, and outreach; it continues to raise visibility for development programmes that directly affect the lives of Sierra Leoneans, while fostering trust and bridging long-standing information gaps.
As the second phase progresses, residents in the targeted districts are encouraged to participate actively, share their experiences, and support ongoing efforts to end gender-based violence and build more resilient, inclusive communities.
Copyright –Published in Expo Times News on Wednesday, 3th December 2025 (ExpoTimes News – Expo Media Group (expomediasl.com)
