By Alvin Lansana Kargbo
The Sierra Leone Employers Federation (SLEF), in collaboration with various partners and supported by the International Labour Office, on Tuesday, December 5, 2023, sensitized residents of the Bonga Town Community in Lumley on the “Women for Water and Peace Project”.
The project, funded by the UNCDF and UN Peacebuilding Fund, aims to construct water wells in five communities: Mayenkineh, Rokupa, Dwarzack, Crab Town-Aberdeen and Lumley, with a focus on addressing water scarcity challenges affecting women and girls.
Lumley, the final community targeted in the engagement drive that had been ongoing, witnessed an awareness campaign which encompassed gender-based violence, promoting decent work, enhancing grievance handling through social dialogue, and building the capacity of women in the water kiosk business.
Albert Ojo Collier, Executive Secretary of SLEF, emphasized the project’s significance for women and girls, highlighting their vulnerability during water-related activities. Collier expressed confidence that the project would mitigate risks and underscored the community’s responsibility to maintain the facilities for sustained impact.
Collier stated, “The project is a crucial step in ensuring that women and girls no longer suffer in their pursuit of water. By putting the women’s groups in charge of the wells, we will not only address water-related issues but also empower the community economically.”
Memish Doherty, representing SLEF, did a presentation on sexual gender-based violence, stressing its threat to girls’ education. Doherty expressed hope that the construction of the planned water well would reduce such incidents, urging caution, especially during nighttime activities.
Desrica Taylor echoed those sentiments, emphasizing the project’s role in relieving the burden of fetching water on women. She urged residents to take ownership of the wells, ensuring proper maintenance and transparency in handling funds generated through water sales for broader community development.
Yealie Turay, a Bonga Town student, expressed gratitude to the donors for the proposed wells, anticipating a positive impact on their lives. She highlighted the challenges students face in fetching water, causing delays in attending school further thanking the project stakeholders, urging for swift commencement and completion of the water wells to alleviate their struggles.
