Women Against Violence and Exploitation in Society Sierra Leone (WAVES-SL) with support from BMZ/Action Medeor in an effort to bridge the gap between the younger and older generations whilst implementing the project titled: Prevention of Female Genital Mutilation in Sierra Leone, embarked on five weeks Inter-Generational Dialogue in four working communities namely: Barlie, Njala-Kendima, Ngalu, and Benduma in the Bagbwe chiefdom.
As part of the activities, the IGD approach has been a new participatory approach that aims to promote social change in preventing and/or minimizing FGM/C in and out of WAVES-SL operational areas in Bo District. Beneficiaries in the four communities had no prior knowledge of the said approach.
Moreover, the organization held five weeks of consecutive dialogue sessions for both women and men from both generations (old & young). The participants acquired immense knowledge in dialogue and listening skills as were manifested in the practical exercises they participated in during the sessions. Participants further realized that
their learning skills and experiences from the IGD sessions have empowered them to change their negative mind sets by strengthening their abilities to take make positive decisions and eventually positive actions in promoting their communities and girls’ wellbeing.
As a climax for the IGD sessions, participants were prepared to participate in two rounds of community engagement sessions where they will be opportune to air out their appreciations to each of the sexes and different generations. They will share their pledges and request with their different community member, and these are aimed at igniting possible positive actions in the different communities.
