As part of rolling out their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in the country, Koidu Limited has supported “She Stands”, Kono District Branch, towards intensifying the 2022 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence which is an annual international campaign that kicks off on the 25th November with the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and runs up to the 10th December with Human Rights Day. The theme of the Human Rights Day was: “Unite Together to End Violence among Women and Girls”.
The support provided by Koidu Limited included the provision of mobility, funding radio discussion programmes and holding stakeholders’ engagements in Kono District.
The rationale behind the support was geared towards empowering women and girls through advocacy campaigns on issues related to domestic and gender based violence such as, rape, sexual harassment, teenage pregnancy, early marriage and others such as HIV & Aids, child trafficking and misuse of contraceptive/family planning by women and girls.
Speaking to this medium, the Event Coordinator of #She Stands Kono District Branch, Aminata Matturie-Marah expressed thanks and appreciation to Koidu Limited for the support which she said will serve as evidence that the company is ready to work with the people of Kono District, to deepen the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, sensitization of residents in communities and the District as a whole.
She pointed out that they are aware of the core challenges women and girls go through furthering how through the support from Koidu Limited they were able to extensively intensify their sensitization campaigns in schools and communities maintaining how such has helped to improve on their understanding in order to stand firm against gender based violence and report to the appropriate authorities whenever it happens.
On her part, the District Coordinator, of #She Stands Kono District Branch, Sia Tabitha Komba Mani, acknowledged the negative impacts of contraceptives on women and girls, child trafficking, drugs underscoring that the psychosocial problems affecting women and girls are enormous and that it only takes the grace of God to survive under such circumstances.
“This year’s theme for the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence directly underscores the First Lady, Her Excellency Madam Fatima Maada Bio’s aspiration for women and girls in Sierra Leone and tailored around the amended Sexual Offences Act of 2019, the Child Rights Acts of 2007 and the February 2014 United Nations Convention on the Elimination of all forms of Discrimination against women and girls,” she revealed.
