In observance of the International Day of Families, the St. George Foundation on May 15, 2025, hosted a Family and Parenting Conference at the Waterloo Rural District Council Hall. The event was held under the global theme: “Families and Urbanization: Building Inclusive, Resilient Cities Where Families Thrive.” It brought together key stakeholders from government institutions, civil society, and local communities to promote positive parenting, family cohesion, and child protection.
Among the distinguished participants were Raymond Moigia from the Human Rights Commission, Rigiatu Conteh and Fatmata Ansumana from the Ministry of Social Welfare, Foday Sesay, Assistant Director from the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Justina Z. Conteh, Executive Director of St. George Foundation, and Dominic Tholley, Outreach Officer from the Legal Aid Board, alongside various development partners and community members.
Chairing the event, Madam Doris Fatima Webber, Executive Director of the Women’s Advocacy and Development Organization (WADO), stressed the importance of strong family bonds and the effects of urbanization on parenting. “Good parenting is essential and foundational to building strong family ties,” she noted, calling for a national culture of positive parenting and resilience within households.
Clifford Metzeger, Programme Director of the St. George Foundation, gave an overview of the initiative, emphasizing its role in promoting dialogue and shared responsibility for family well-being. He described the event as a “call for inclusive, meaningful engagement to ensure every family thrives in both urban and rural settings.”
Representing the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Foday Sesay outlined provisions of the Child Rights Act, reiterating that every child has the right to grow within a family setting. He encouraged mothers and guardians to be vigilant and nurturing, stressing that children have the right to express themselves freely.
Rigiatu Conteh, from the Ministry of Social Welfare, described families as the cornerstone of society. She highlighted the Ministry’s ongoing efforts to address the challenges facing broken families, street children, and children in conflict with the law. “Social parenting is critical in restoring family cohesion,” she said, commending the St. George Foundation for its steadfast support to the Ministry in advancing child protection.
From the Legal Aid Board, Dominic Tholley spoke on legal protections surrounding families, urging Sierra Leoneans to prioritize the welfare of children. “The peace of Sierra Leone begins in the home,” he emphasized.
Raymond Moigia, from the Human Rights Commission, reaffirmed the Commission’s mandate to uphold the rights of citizens, especially children. He called on parents to abandon harmful practices like child marriage, citing recent laws criminalizing such acts. Moigia praised the St. George Foundation’s efforts in promoting responsible parenting and fostering child welfare.
Alhassan Sadiq Sesay, representing SUDU, added that their organization continues to support the establishment of foster homes for children from broken families. He called for stronger partnerships to remove children from the streets and reunite them with supportive households.
The event concluded with a lively children’s performance and an interactive Q&A session, where participants raised critical questions on parenting and child protection. The conference marked an important step in strengthening national conversations around family values and the well-being of children in Sierra Leone.
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Credit: Kelvin Mark Kargbo, SLENA Correspondent
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