By: Sallu Kamuskay
Women’s Forum Sierra Leone (WFSL) has successfully concluded a week-long capacity building training programme for women-led Civil Society Organizations across Moyamba, Kailahun and Falaba districts as part of the implementation of Outcome D of the Spotlight Initiative 2.0.
The training forms part of a three-year project aimed at ending violence against women and girls in Sierra Leone. The initiative is being implemented by Women’s Forum Sierra Leone with support from UN Women, in collaboration with the Government of Sierra Leone, the United Nations and the European Union.
The intensive training focused on strengthening the institutional capacity of women-led organizations through sessions on leadership, governance, financial management, safeguarding and action planning. The programme was facilitated by the Programme Manager of Women’s Forum Sierra Leone, Idrissa Sesay, who emphasized that the training was designed to address critical capacity gaps among sub-grantee organizations and enhance their effectiveness in advancing women’s rights and protection.
Speaking during the engagements, the President of Women’s Forum Sierra Leone, Sally N. Adams, expressed appreciation to participants for their commitment and encouraged them to apply the knowledge gained to strengthen advocacy efforts in their respective communities.
She noted that violence against women and girls remain a serious challenge across the country and called on participants to become agents of change in addressing the issue at the grassroots level.
Sally N. Adams highlighted the long-standing role of Women’s Forum Sierra Leone in promoting gender equality and protecting the rights of women and girls. She recalled that the organization was established in 1994 and has since grown into a nationwide network with more than 300 member organizations working across the country.
“We founded the Women’s Forum in 1994 and today we have over 300 network members across Sierra Leone working to protect and promote the rights of women and girls,” she said, adding that the organization is proud to serve as a lead implementing partner for the Spotlight Initiative in Sierra Leone.
In Moyamba District, participants developed three-month action plans aimed at addressing Gender-Based Violence within their communities. Matinda Mayeni Mama of the Generational Impact Movement stressed the need for a change in attitudes toward young advocates, noting that cultural norms often hinder their contributions to community development.
“We are not unruly. We need support and protection,” she stated.
Participants in Kailahun District also welcomed the initiative and described it as a timely intervention. Fatmata B. Coker of the Masanta One Women’s Group said incidents of violence against women continue to rise in the district and emphasized the importance of empowering local organizations to respond effectively.
She said the training had significantly enhanced participants’ knowledge in leadership and financial management while also providing practical tools for community engagement. Fatmata B. Coker further expressed concern over the continued practice of Female Genital Mutilation involving young girls and called for greater attention to issues of consent and age considerations.
In Falaba District, the Director of the Falaba District Women Network, Fatmata Baby Turay, described the training as both timely and necessary. She noted that women and girls in the district continue to face various forms of violence and discrimination and expressed confidence that the programme would strengthen the ability of Civil Society Organizations to address those challenges.
The training covered participants from nine chiefdoms across the three districts, reflecting a broad commitment to community-led action against Gender-Based Violence.
Organizers stated that the initiative seeks to place Civil Society Organizations at the forefront of advocacy, policy engagement and accountability mechanisms aimed at ending violence against women and girls. They expressed optimism that the strengthened capacity of participating organizations will contribute significantly to promoting safer communities and advancing gender equality across Sierra Leone.
