By Foday Moriba Conteh
In what some have described as an unprecedented move in this country, on the 1st July 2020 the Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ) forged a partnership with the Legal Aid Board to take forward the campaign against Sexual and Gender Based Violence which have seen an increase in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The discussion focused on the use of the media in the campaign against SGBV through awareness-raising on the relevant laws; ensuring victims have justice and the support they need to move on and rebuild their lives and exposing SGBV cases with a view to ensure that those responsible are held accountable.
Executive Director of the Legal Aid Board, Ms. Fatmata Claire Carlton-Hanciles, observed that the COVID-19 pandemic has brought about an increase in the abuse of women and girls particularly those relating to domestic violence in homes. She welcomed the partnership, noting that working with female journalists on SGBV and domestic violence will be crucial in addressing these menace. She underscored that the media is key in informing and educating people on these issues.
She said the campaign will help in countering the fake news, primitive customary beliefs and attitudes which are not helpful in putting a stop to those abuses. The Executive Director assured them that the Board is committed to working with any patriotic organization or individual on these issues further disclosing how the Board will assist with providing some resources to the campaign.
The President of SLAWIJ, Millicent Kargbo said that her organization is committed to protecting women’s rights and would therefore do all within their means to achieve this goal. She said SLAWIJ will work with the Board in the production and presentation of programme on SGBV issues. Other members of the SLAWIJ team who participated in the meeting comprised Patricia Ganda of Star Radio and Television, Aminata Finda Massaquoi and Mariama Sesay.
Both agreed to prepared and sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) by the end of the month.
In another development on the 30 June 2020 the Legal Aid Board and the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs (MoGCA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to strengthen response to Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV). The ceremony took place in the conference room of the Ministry at Cockle Bay in the West-End of Freetown on 30 June 2020.
The MOU establishes guidelines and commitments for collaboration in the operation of the One Stop Centers to be set up in five Districts in the country in July 2020. The Center will provide medical, psychosocial support and legal assistance to victims of rape and sexual penetration in one location.
The MOU provides amongst other things the deployment of at least one Legal Aid Board paralegal in each of the One-Stop Centres to assist the Family Support Unit (FSU) of the Sierra Leone Police in investigating of sexual offences including the gathering of relevant evidence.
