By Foday Moriba Conteh
In a bid to advance the campaign against Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV) which has spiked in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic in the country, the Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ) has on Tuesday 18th August, 2020 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Rainbo Initiative during a ceremony took place at the Rainbo Initiative Office at Smart Farm, Off Wilkinson Road in Freetown.
Aminata Finda Massaquoi, Head of Programs, SLAWIJ, stated that the MOU is focused on the use of the media in the campaign against SGBV through awareness-raising of the relevant laws; ensuring victims have justice and the support they need to move on and rebuild their lives as well as exposing SGBV cases with a view to ensure that those responsible for perpetrating such acts are held accountable.
Finda Massaquoi further disclosed that the signing of the MOU with Rainbo Initiative will help them to achieve their goal which is to address issues of Sexual and Gender Based Violence which, she highlighted, has been on the increase in the country, adding that as an organization they have membership across the country also expressing the belief that their messages will go far across the country and not only limited to Freetown.
On his part, Deputy Executive Director of Rainbo Initiative, Gibril Kargbo, expressed appreciation to the Sierra Leone Association of Women in Journalism (SLAWIJ) for their move to join the fight in combating Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Sierra Leone.
He said Rainbo Initiative is a national based NGO that was established in 2003 and since its inception they have been supporting survivors to achieve healing and engage communities to prevent incidences of GBV through education, advocacy etc.
He furthered that Rainbow Initiative is the only provider of free medical and psychosocial services for survivors of Gender Based-Violence (GBV) in the country.
Gibril Kargbo also disclosed how they have so far provided support to over 40,000 women and girls across the country who were victims of Sexual and Gender Based Violence particularly rape also stating that over 90% of child victims are below 18 years which shows that girls suffer the most in terms of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the country.
He said in order to end SGBV in the country it needs collaboration of all sectors including the Media, Judiciary, Health Workers etc. of which he said the signing of the MOU with SLAWIJ will provide the two institutions the opportunity to be able to work and deliver on their mandate.
Gibril Kargbo further assured them that with this MOU they are ready to provide the expertise that SLAWIJ needs to deal with issues of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the country.
