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Sexual And Gender Based Violence
Sexual and gender Based Violence is pandemic in Sierra Leone. It accounts for a third of all crimes reported to the Family Support Unit of the Sierra Leone Police. Although more recent data is unavailable, the scale and prevalence vary across the country but the 4 districts in the region combined, records the highest incidence of sexual, physical and psychological violence against women and girls. One out of five woman/girl between the age of 15 and 49 years in Sierra Leone has experienced either physical or sexual violence and those in an intimate relationship have a 49% chance of experiencing physical and/or sexual Intimate Partner Violence in their lifetime. The Sierra Leone Police Annual General Crimes Statistics show Offences against women and children (SGBV) as the third highest reported crime in the country accounting for 12,314 (2021) cases, with the Southern Region reporting the second highest SGBV crimes in the country. These include Domestic Violence, Sexual Penetration (of minors) and Rape (of adults). This is alarming taking into consideration that many such offences go unreported. A third of all SGBV cases in 2021 were against minors.
Female Genital Mutilation
At 88%, the prevalence of female genital mutilation in Sierra Leone is among the highest in the world. FGM/C is considered normative and culturally significant in local contexts. However, the practice is a violation of human rights with significant health risks. To achieve cultural and social change, girls, women, boys, men and key persons from different sectors will be involved in prevention work. WAVES education and advocacy work carried out in 5 communities in Bo district e.g. in the form of intergenerational dialogues, gender-transformative men’s groups, Action days and mentoring. Through the involvement of the national Forum Against Harmful Practices (consisting of 21 NGOs), Advocacy & lobbying carried out at parliamentary offices and in 16 Districts for a law against FGM/C. In doing so, the capacities of the NGOs in human rights work got strengthened.
Specific Challenges Affecting Women and Girls in Bo District
The south of Sierra Leone faces several problems regarding various forms of sexual violence, including domestic violence, sexual assault, rape of adults and minors, marital rape, and school-related sexual abuse, as well as supposedly harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM). The voices of Sierra Leonean women are ignored in the debate about their own sexual and reproductive health. Their voices are being drowned out by the resistance of conservative religious groups and reluctant government officials. Moreover, the patriarchal structures in place hamper the debate, while at the same time restricting the effective implementation of the positive laws and regulations already in place.
Gender Inequality and land Rights Deprivation
In Sierra Leone in general and Bo district in particular about 80% of the people working in agriculture sector are women and girls. They face huge challenge when it comes to land rights, however, which leads to more poverty for them and their children.
Women and Governance (Limited women in Leadership positions in the south)
Women account for 52 per cent of the total population in Sierra Leone yet occupy less than 20 percent of elected positions. Their voice, visibility, participation and representation in elective and appointment positions remain very low compared to men. Some of these challenges include lack of economic independence, high illiteracy and entrenched customs and traditions and the lack of confidence to vie for public positions
Women & Girls and their Sexual & Reproductive Health Rights
The voices of Sierra Leonean women are ignored in the debate about their own sexual and reproductive health. Their voices are being drowned out by the resistance of conservative religious groups and reluctant government officials. Moreover, the patriarchal structures in place hamper the debate, while at the same time restricting the effective implementation of the positive laws and regulations already in place.
Female Genital Mutilation
At 88%, the prevalence of female genital mutilation in Sierra Leone is among the highest in the world. FGM/C is considered normative and culturally significant in local contexts. However, the practice is a violation of human rights with significant health risks. To achieve cultural and social change, girls, women, boys, men and key persons from different sectors will be involved in prevention work. WAVES education and advocacy work carried out in 5 communities in Bo district e.g. in the form of intergenerational dialogues, gender-transformative men’s groups, Action days and mentoring. Through the involvement of the national Forum Against Harmful Practices (consisting of 21 NGOs), Advocacy & lobbying carried out at parliamentary offices and in 16 Districts for a law against FGM/C. In doing so, the capacities of the NGOs in human rights work got strengthened.
Specific Challenges Affecting Women and Girls in Bo District
The south of Sierra Leone faces several problems regarding various forms of sexual violence, including domestic violence, sexual assault, rape of adults and minors, marital rape, and school-related sexual abuse, as well as supposedly harmful practices such as female genital mutilation (FGM). The voices of Sierra Leonean women are ignored in the debate about their own sexual and reproductive health. Their voices are being drowned out by the resistance of conservative religious groups and reluctant government officials. Moreover, the patriarchal structures in place hamper the debate, while at the same time restricting the effective implementation of the positive laws and regulations already in place.
Gender Inequality and land Rights Deprivation
In Sierra Leone in general and Bo district in particular about 80% of the people working in agriculture sector are women and girls. They face huge challenge when it comes to land rights, however, which leads to more poverty for them and their children.
Women and Governance (Limited women in Leadership positions in the south)
Women account for 52 per cent of the total population in Sierra Leone yet occupy less than 20 percent of elected positions. Their voice, visibility, participation and representation in elective and appointment positions remain very low compared to men. Some of these challenges include lack of economic independence, high illiteracy and entrenched customs and traditions and the lack of confidence to vie for public positions
Women & Girls and their Sexual & Reproductive Health Rights
The voices of Sierra Leonean women are ignored in the debate about their own sexual and reproductive health. Their voices are being drowned out by the resistance of conservative religious groups and reluctant government officials. Moreover, the patriarchal structures in place hamper the debate, while at the same time restricting the effective implementation of the positive laws and regulations already in place.
