By Foday Moriba Conteh
As part of their efforts in showing solidarity with survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the country and across the globe, Rainbow Initiative has on Saturday 3rd December 2022 held a one-day 25-Kilometer walk in solidarity with survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the country and across the globe on the theme: “Be a Champion and End Sexual Violence”. The one-day 25-Kilometer walk started at Up Gun East End of Freetown and ended at Lumley Beach in Freetown.
Speaking at the climax of the event, the Executive Director of Rainbow Initiative, Daniel Kettor, said that the walk with survivors is in commemoration of this year’s 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence which is an annual international campaign that kicks off on the 25th November, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, and runs until the 10th December, which is Human Rights Day.
He said that Rainbow Initiative is one of the leading organizations that is advocating towards eliminating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the country and in that regard they deemed it fit to organize the walk-in showing solidarity with survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the country and across the globe.
The Executive Director added that the event reaffirmed the organization’s commitment towards ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the country and also to reiterate their commitment towards supporting survivors with their services which includes free medical treatment, sanitation and counseling in order for these survivors to be able to reintegrate in their various communities.
He informed all that from their 6 Rainbow Centers from January to October 2022 they have supported 2,180 cases of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in various communities in the country.
Daniel Kettor said that at the end of the 25-Kilometer walk wit, and for SGBV survivors, they calling for an END to all forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence especially those committed against women and girls in the country.
The German Ambassador to Sierra Leone, Jens Kraus Masse, commended Rainbow Initiative for the initiative towards walking in solidarity with survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in the country.
He said that the 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that organizations all over embark on in order to end Gender-Based Violence in their society.
Jens Kraus Masse called on all to show commitment towards ending all forms of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence against women and girls in the country.
The HR Director at Partners in Health, Alusine Bangura, said that Sexual and Gender-Based Violence is a menace in our society of which he called on all to be ambassadors in their schools, communities etc. in order to end the menace in the country.
He said that if Sexual and Gender-Based Violence continues to exist in the society it will create a threat to women and girls.
The Country Director of Trocaire, Laura Lalor, said that as an organization they will continue to stand in solidarity with survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
She added that the 16 Days of Activism is used as an organizing strategy by individuals and organizations around the world to raise awareness and demand justice for victims of SGBV of which she described the walk as very important towards the Elimination of Violence against Women and Girls in the country.
