By Aminata Abu Bakarr Kamara
In a significant move to address gender-based violence (GBV) in rural Sierra Leone, the Western Area Rural District Students’ Union (WARDSU) engaged 16 villages within the Fabiana Area of Koya Rural, Western Area Rural District. The engagement, held on December 3, 2024, at N’garahun Village, was part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, under the theme: “Unite! Invest to Prevent Violence Against Women and Girls.”
WARDSU brought together village heads, school authorities, women leaders, and students to raise awareness of the critical issues of GBV, early marriage, and teenage pregnancy. This initiative underscores the commitment to create safer environments for women and girls in Sierra Leone’s rural communities.
The targeted villages are N’garahun, Songo Loko, Mapoponi, Masorie, Mahaineh, Masailor, Rokundor, Robanka, Mafullah, Maswaray, Makono, Magbangban, Malamina, Fabiana, Gbogbahun, and Gbollah—have faced persistent challenges related to violence against women and girls. These challenges often stem from entrenched societal norms and limited access to education and resources.
At the event, community stakeholders were encouraged to take a firm stance against GBV. Participants expressed renewed dedication to eliminating all forms of violence and pledged to foster environments where young women and girls can thrive without fear of abuse or discrimination.
The initiative highlighted the importance of engaging key community actors to create lasting change. By addressing cultural barriers and educating residents on the implications of GBV, WARDSU aims to dismantle harmful practices that perpetuate violence.
This engagement is part of WARDSU’s broader mission to champion the rights of women and girls across the Western Area Rural District. The organization remains steadfast in its commitment to building a future where every girl can live free from violence and have equal opportunities to succeed.
As the fight against GBV continues, this effort by WARDSU serves as a beacon of hope and a call to action for communities nationwide to unite and invest in ending violence against women and girls.