A two-day conference on Gender Based Violence (GBV) organized in commemoration of Sixteen Days of Activism started Monday 2nd December 2024 at the Catco Hotel Hall- Wilkinson Road in Freetown on the theme: Ending Violence Against Women and Girls in Sierra Leone.
In his keynote address, the Vice President of the Republic of Sierra Leone, Dr. Mohamed Juldeh Jalloh, suggested the setting up of a full-blown forensic laboratory to support investigation on gender-based violence in the country, stressing that he would initiate discussion both at cabinet level and with development partners to support the establishment of the laboratory initiative.
He proposed for the identification of a potential and viable decentralization options in the fight against GBV by strengthening the district prosecuting and legal teams to be able to provide legal and support services for survivors, and deal with the perpetrators.
The Hon. Vice President described the theme of the conference as important at a time the country is grappling with many social challenges including the protection, promotion of the wellbeing and progress of women, especially young girls.
He stated that gender-based violence and healthcare are vital to promote the wellbeing and progress of women in society.
He disclosed that GBV and healthcare affect the most vulnerable in society, viewing the 16 Days of Activism as an opportunity to take stock of the progress made as a country and the additional effort and action needed to support young girls from GBV and access to healthcare services they need.
He referred to the tremendous efforts made by the Government since 2018 in healthcare delivery, gender equality, women empowerment, and GBV. “Since 2018, our focus on Human Capital Development has placed education, governance reforms, and health at the center of government activities” he said.
He explained that Government’s focus on health has been on maternal and children’s health, indicating that maternal mortality was one thousand and seven deaths per every one hundred thousand live births in 2018, noting that the death rate has reduced to four hundred and forty-eight maternal mortalities in 2022.
He said he is optimistic that the death rate would be reduced drastically at the time the latest statistics would be published.
He informed about the investment in the sector, including the recruitment of additional healthcare workers, building additional community healthcare centres across the country, and the expansion of training for healthcare workers.
He said Government is also focusing on women in the educational sector, stating that the heart of the education programe is to encourage young girls to enrol in schools.
He revealed an increase in the number of girls in schools, noting that Government is proud with the parity between boys and girls in basic and senior schools.
He stated that more girls are enrolling in universities to study science courses than boys, attributing it to Government’s intervention in the education sector.
Some of the governance reforms undertaken by the Government, according to Vice President Jalloh, include the Sexual Offenses Act amended in 2019, the Sexual and Gender Based Response Strategy, integration of sexuality into the education curriculum, the GEWE Act, and the Prohibition of Child Marriage Act 2024, among others.
He maintained that the reforms were done to enhance gender equality and promote women empowerment.
He noted that hospital management and care are still challenges that need more effort despite the tremendous effort made by Government to improve healthcare delivery in Sierra Leone.
He shared his perspectives on ways to address Gender Based Violence and to also position the country’s healthcare delivery system to provide the care needed, one such perspectives to take concrete steps to implement policies, and another to scale up the one-stop-centers to strengthen their effectiveness by providing additional tools and resources to support women.
He again suggested for a strategic partnership between Government and development partners, especially NGOs, with the focus of decentralizing the fight against Gender Based Violence.
The Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi, said that addressing sexual and gender-based violence requires a multi-sectoral approach, noting that no single entity can curb the menace.
She stated that the conference presented an opportunity to delve into actionable strategies to address the challenges communities faced.
She referred to the domestic violence cases in recent times, with some relating to deaths whilst some destroying the future of younger children.
She emphasized that ending violence against women is an action everyone must involve in, adding that there is need to address such.
Credit: Aaron Bundu Lahai-Head of Media & Public Relations
