The German Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Jens Kraus-Massè on Friday 31st March 2023 paid a visit to the Women Against Violence and Exploitation in Society (WAVES) and people of Nengbema, Niawa Lenga Chiefdom (a WAVES-SL operational community) in Bo.
Welcoming the Ambassador, Hannah Yambasu, Founder and Director of WAVES-SL, said she and team were grateful to have the Ambassador in their midst saying that his German NGOs
must have briefed him about the work of WAVES. She stated that German organizations have been one of WAVES-SL supportive partners and they have been having several German donor organizations that have been giving funding support to end all forms of violence against women and girls especially FGM/C. She acknowledged the support the Embassy of Germany in the country provides to empower women and children in Sierra Leone.
On his part, Ambassador Kraus-Massè noted that it was an honor to meet with WAVES team and the people of Nengbema.
He commended the organization’s Founder and Director, Hannah Yambasu, for what he described as being courageous to fight for the human rights of women and girls.
“With her immense courage and energy, she resembles a true idol in the fight for human rights to #EndFGM.” Said Ambassador Kraus-Massè.
He committed his Embassy’s support in promoting the protection and welfare of women while pointing out that the German government has a feminist foreign policy that puts women at the centre of what they do, noting that they now concentrate more on women’s affairs because women are haven and therefore they have decided to empower them for a peaceful coexistence in society_
Talking on behalf of the community people, a teacher at Nengbema Community, Niawa Lenga Chiefdom Bo District, highlighted the numerous interventions of WAVES in their community, mentioning how the organization has contributed to changing their minds and shifting perceptions about women and girls. He emphasized how WAVES-SL continuous to change their lives especially the adolescent girls.
He informed the Ambassador that from WAVES engagement with the adolescent girls through the establishment of safe spaces in the community, their children are now performing tremendously in school, more so at public examinations.
It was mind-blowing and exciting as the adolescent girls, and community people demonstrated high interest and expressed gratitude to the German Foreign Office for supporting WAVES in contributing to “protecting us the girls from FGM and early marriage, especially for the development of ourselves, community and the country in general” (quoted one girl).
The people disclosed that before the intervention of WAVES, one of the major problems that used to greatly and negatively affect the growth of women, especially girls in their community is the practice of FGM. FGM- female genital mutilation is a procedure that over 80% of girls and women are estimated to have undergone in Sierra Leone, which makes it one of the countries with highest rates worldwide.
WAVES actively supports to end this grave form of violence against women and girls that is recognized by the UN as torture. As partners of the Forum Against Harmful Practices-FAHP, they jointly promote #ZeroToleranceToFGM for children and help to create safe spaces for dialogue, education and ways to enjoy individual human rights in Sierra Leone.
It could also be noted that earlier on the same day, the German Ambassador and wife paid a courtesy visit to WAVES office in Bo and had interactions with the team of dedicated, passionate and enthusiastic staff.
The Women Against Violence and Exploitation in Society Sierra Leone is always happy to serve humanity, build capacity, and contribute our fight for a safe and enabling environment for women and girls.
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