By Alusine Fullah

A renowned and community based organization, Safe Space SL Community Girls Circle has empowered over 50 community girls. Also, during this development, Safe Space SL Community Girls Circle has officially launched their special reunion of the 1^st cohort of Community Girls Circle on the 6^th January, 2024. As the name implies, Safe Space SL Community Girls Circle has been a pillar in terms of supporting girls in Sierra Leone on sexual reproductive health education, self-esteem, leadership, etc. especially hard-to-reach areas. In her keynote speech, Adeola Carew, the CEO of Safe Space SL Community Girls Circle informed the press about the mission of the organization. She said:

We are a women’s rights organisation committed to creating a world where women and girls are free from discrimination and violence. We are a hub that provides comprehensive sexual reproductive health education and services that are inclusive and accessible through our community girl circles, our talk show; and our health centre. Our organization is very committed to inclusivity ensures that everyone, irrespective of background, finds a welcoming space to access vital health resources and support.

Forum pulled over the President of Safe Space SL Community Girls Circle, Xenobia Kargbo and had a short interview with her. During that interview, she spoke some of the plans ahead in terms of giving more empowerment to girls in Sierra Leone. She said: “For the past years, Safe Space SL Community Girls Circle has been great in fulfilling its mission…with Safe Space SL Community Girls Circle; girls are always safe space for all girls .We need to sensitize and educate them on their rights. Safe Space SL Community Girls Circle believes on girls’ empowerment. Our next plan is: we want to extend more hands in the suburb areas. Apart from that, we also want to increase the number of cohort members in Safe Space SL Community Girls Circle in our next intake.

Forum Newspaper also spoke with some of the beneficiary girls from Safe Space SL Community Girls Circle. They shared their experiences so far. Princess Haja Conteh noted: “Safe Space SL Community Girls Circle is a heaven for girls in Sierra Leone. If I am bold, it is Safe Space SL Community Girls Circle. If today, I am quite aware of my rights and sexual reproductive health it is Safe Space SL Community Girls Circle. It is a big honour for me to be part of Safe Space SL Community Girls Circle Cohort 1. Honestly, I have benefited a lot from Safe Space SL Community Girls Circle…”

Daphne Williams and Grace Carew have also expressed profound compliment about the efforts and aspiration of Safe Space SL Community Girls Circle. Daphne Williams noted: “In Sierra Leone, Safe Space SL Community Girls Circle is working relentlessly to end unmet need for family planning for girls and end gender-based violence and harmful practices against women and girls. The organization works to ensure that no one is left behind and that the furthest behind is reached first…as I speak, I have benefited a lot from Safe Space SL Community Girls Circle…”