Allies in Development

06/08/2026

📖 𝗡𝗲𝘄 𝗕𝗹𝗼𝗴 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲: 𝗙𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗨𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝗹

How does feminism show up in everyday life?

Have you ever supported equality in your home, workplace, or community while distancing yourself from the word 𝘧𝘦𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘴𝘮? Could everyday acts of fairness and respect change the way you understand what feminism really means?

Our latest blog article, " 𝗙𝗲𝗺𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝗺 𝗶𝗻 𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗟𝗶𝗳𝗲: 𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗘𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗨𝘀 𝗔𝗹𝗹," explores how feminism is reflected in everyday actions and why advancing equality is a shared responsibility that benefits women, men, girls, and boys alike.

As Sierra Leone continues to confront high levels of violence against women and girls, conversations about equality, dignity, justice, and shared responsibility are more important than ever.

🔗 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝗹𝗹 𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲: https://alliesindevelopmentsl.org/we-should-all-be-feminists/

Feminism in everyday life: why equality matters to us all This blog post was written by Claris Esther Kanu and Miatta Paula Thomas. For many people in Sierra Leone, the word feminism often evokes mixed reactions. Some associate it with opposition to men, rejection of cultural values, or negative ste...

31/07/2026

𝗡𝗮𝘃𝗶𝗴𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗴𝗲: 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗣𝘂𝗯𝗲𝗿𝘁𝘆, 𝗥𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗽𝗼𝗻𝘀𝗶𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆

As July comes to a close, so does our current cycle of in-person school engagements with members of our School and Youth Clubs.

Throughout the month, 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 facilitated sessions with members of our school clubs at 𝗕𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝗶𝗴𝗵 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹, 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆, and 𝗦𝗮𝗺𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗔𝗰𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗺𝘆 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹.

The sessions explored puberty as a transition involving physical, emotional, social, and relational development. Young people were encouraged to reflect on how these changes can influence how they see themselves, understand relationships, and interact with others.

We discussed the importance of:
✨ Understanding and navigating the physical changes that come with puberty
✨ Developing self-awareness and personal responsibility
✨ Respecting the dignity, choices, and boundaries of others
✨ Building healthy and respectful relationships
✨ Making positive and informed decisions in interactions with other young people

Creating spaces where young people can have open, age-appropriate conversations about puberty, relationships, respect, and personal responsibility is an important part of building safer schools and communities.

Through our 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗬𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗦𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 we remain committed to equipping young people with the knowledge, confidence, and skills they need to navigate adolescence safely and make informed decisions about themselves and their relationships.

24/07/2026

𝗔 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗽 𝗙𝗼𝗿𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲: 𝗦𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗳𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹 🚀

Allies in Development welcomes the Government of Sierra Leone's ratification of the 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗼𝗰𝗼𝗹 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀' 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀, 𝗼𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗘𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝗮𝗻 𝗔𝗳𝗿𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘁 𝗼𝗻 𝗛𝘂𝗺𝗮𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗣𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘀' 𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀, announced on 𝟭𝟲 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲.

The ratification marks an important step in strengthening Sierra Leone's engagement with regional human rights mechanisms and fulfils a commitment made by 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝗹𝗶𝘂𝘀 𝗠𝗮𝗮𝗱𝗮 𝗕𝗶𝗼 in 𝟮𝟬𝟭𝟴.

In 𝗠𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟱, Allies in Development called for Sierra Leone to ratify the Protocol and 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝟯𝟰(𝟲) 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, publishing an adapted legal commentary,

"𝘚𝘵𝘳𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘈𝘤𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘑𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘚𝘶𝘳𝘷𝘪𝘷𝘰𝘳𝘴: 𝘞𝘩𝘺 𝘚𝘪𝘦𝘳𝘳𝘢 𝘓𝘦𝘰𝘯𝘦 𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘭𝘥 𝘙𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘧𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘧𝘳𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘯 𝘊𝘰𝘶𝘳𝘵 𝘗𝘳𝘰𝘵𝘰𝘤𝘰𝘭 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘋𝘦𝘱𝘰𝘴𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘭𝘦 34(6) 𝘋𝘦𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯."

The article explored the importance of regional human rights mechanisms and their potential relevance for individuals and civil society organizations seeking accountability when domestic remedies are unavailable or ineffective.

The ratification of the Protocol is an important step. However, ratification of the Protocol and the ability of 𝗶𝗻𝗱𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗱𝘂𝗮𝗹𝘀 and 𝗡𝗚𝗢𝘀 to directly access the African Court are separate legal steps. Access will therefore depend on the next steps taken by the Government of Sierra Leone, including 𝗱𝗲𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗿𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗹𝗲 𝟯𝟰(𝟲) 𝗗𝗲𝗰𝗹𝗮𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻.

For 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, this development reinforces the importance of continued advocacy for accessible, independent, and effective justice mechanisms that uphold the rights and dignity of individuals, including survivors of sexual and gender-based violence.

📖 Read our May 2025 article here: 🔗 https://lnkd.in/e3sMFgcT

25/06/2026

📢 📢𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗶𝗴𝗻𝘀 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 ✍️ 🤝

We are pleased to announce that Allies in Development has signed a 𝗦𝗲𝗿𝘃𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗟𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹 𝗔𝗴𝗿𝗲𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 with the 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗶𝗰 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗱𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝗘𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 (MBSSE) in Sierra Leone for the implementation of the project,

“𝙎𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙣𝙜𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙑𝙞𝙤𝙡𝙚𝙣𝙘𝙚 𝙋𝙧𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙣𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙍𝙚𝙨𝙥𝙤𝙣𝙨𝙚 𝙋𝙤𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙞𝙚𝙨 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙎𝙞𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙖 𝙇𝙚𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙀𝙙𝙪𝙘𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙎𝙮𝙨𝙩𝙚𝙢.”

In collaboration with 𝗰𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗹 𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗲𝘁𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿𝘀 and the 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘀𝘁𝗿𝘆, this 𝘁𝗵𝗿𝗲𝗲-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿 𝗶𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲 (2026–2029) will address 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹-𝗿𝗲𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘀𝗲𝘅𝘂𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗯𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 by strengthening 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗽𝗿𝗼𝘁𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝘆𝘀𝘁𝗲𝗺𝘀, building 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗰𝗮𝗽𝗮𝗰𝗶𝘁𝘆, and enhancing 𝘀𝘁𝘂𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗹𝗲𝗱𝗴𝗲 on violence prevention and response.

This partnership marks an important step in advancing coordinated, system-level approaches to 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 within the 𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿. Through this work, Allies in Development aim to contribute to safer learning environments and improved protection outcomes for children and young people across Sierra Leone.

12/06/2026

🚀 𝗠𝗮𝗷𝗼𝗿 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗵𝗶𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗱: 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗝𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝗦𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲’𝘀 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗩𝗘𝗧 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹

We are pleased to announce that 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 has recently joined the 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹 𝗼𝗳 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗱𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗧𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗩𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲. This registration recognizes over two years of the organization’s contributions to skills development for survivors of intimate partner violence, child sexual abuse, and girls from economically vulnerable households.

The recognition is especially timely as the organization prepares to inaugurate the 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿 at Jerusalem Avenue Goderich, Western Rural District.

Over the past two months, Allies in Development has been represented on the 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹’𝘀 𝗦𝘁𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗴𝗶𝗰 𝗣𝗹𝗮𝗻𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 and 𝗥𝗲𝘀𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗲 𝗠𝗼𝗯𝗶𝗹𝗶𝘇𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲. This partnership offers several important benefits, including:

🔹Formal recognition and access to 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 for the development of TVET institutions
🔹Council-supported recommendations for trainers to obtain government approval, receive 𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗣𝗜𝗡 𝗰𝗼𝗱𝗲𝘀, and be considered for integration into the 𝗴𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝘀𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗺𝗲
🔹 𝗣𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗹𝘀 for the Allies in Development Skills-Plus Livelihood Project

Allies in Development regards this registration as a significant milestone as it prepares to independently deliver its training programme and, in particular, implement the 𝗦𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀-𝗣𝗹𝘂𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗷𝗲𝗰𝘁 through the Allies in Development Skills Centre.

16/05/2026

Earlier this week, 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, responded to the 𝗿𝗮𝗽𝗲 𝗼𝗳 𝗮 𝟭𝟱-𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿-𝗼𝗹𝗱 𝗴𝗶𝗿𝗹 whose case was referred to us through one of the community schools we support on safeguarding.

This child’s vulnerability was not created by one moment alone. It was shaped by poverty, neglect, and unsafe conditions where survival too often depends on risking one’s safety.
Our team supported the survivor to 𝗳𝗶𝗹𝗲 𝗮 𝗽𝗼𝗹𝗶𝗰𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 and 𝗮𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝗺𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 at the 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗯𝗼 𝗖𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿, and we will continue monitoring the case closely.

But cases like this also expose another difficult reality: families often cannot afford the cost of seeking justice, including transportation, medical follow-up, and documentation. Yet local organizations like ours cannot turn survivors and their families away. We carry these responsibilities with extremely limited resources.
Child protection requires stronger investment in safeguarding systems, survivor support services, and community-based organizations already doing this work every day.

01/05/2026

𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘆 𝟮𝟬𝟮𝟲 | 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗼𝘂𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗿𝗸, 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 👠 🏢🍼 🥣 🧹 👩🏾

Today, we recognize and celebrate the dignity of work, and the millions of workers whose contributions sustain our economies, communities, and homes.

At 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, we take this moment to especially acknowledge the critical contributions of 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗱𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, work that is foundational to society but continues to be undervalued

Evidence shows the scale of this imbalance. According to 𝗨𝗡 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻, women spend an average of 𝟰.𝟯 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗽𝗲𝗿 𝗱𝗮𝘆 on unpaid care and domestic work, nearly three times more than men, who spend 𝟭.𝟲 𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀. This unequal distribution limits women’s opportunities to participate fully in paid employment and economic life.

In Sierra Leone, where women make up 𝟱𝟮.𝟭% 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝗼𝗽𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, labour force participation is relatively high for both 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 (𝟳𝟭.𝟱%) 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗺𝗲𝗻 (𝟳𝟱.𝟱%). Yet these figures mask a deeper injustice:

• An estimated 𝟵𝟲.𝟲% 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 are engaged in informal employment
• 𝟰𝟬.𝟭% 𝗼𝗳 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 are engaged in unpaid domestic and care work

We must speak honestly: women’s unpaid domestic and care work falls outside the scope of Sierra Leone’s labour laws and policies, yet it is this work that makes conflict-free homes possible, keeps families functioning, and subsidizes the economy every day.

𝗧𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗗𝗮𝘆, 𝘄𝗲 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗿𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗴𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝘃𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗸, 𝗯𝗼𝘁𝗵 𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗱 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗻𝗽𝗮𝗶𝗱
Because decent work must include:
✔ Fair wages
✔ Social protection
✔ Recognition of unpaid care and domestic work

The journey toward labour rights and equity in #𝗦𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 continues. We call on policymakers and institutions to advance this work with 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘂𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆.

10/04/2026

📢 📢 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝗘𝗻𝗴𝗮𝗴𝗲𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝘁𝗹𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁: 𝗙𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗱𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗦𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹

This week, we marked an important milestone at Friends in Sport School with the official
launch of our 𝗔𝗶𝗗 𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗰𝗹𝘂𝗯.

Friends in Sport is a primary and secondary school serving learners from the Kamayama community in Freetown.
The establishment of the AiD club is part of our ongoing collaboration with the school to advance a 𝘄𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗲-𝗼𝗳-𝘀𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗹 𝘀𝗮𝗳𝗲𝗴𝘂𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗮𝗽𝗽𝗿𝗼𝗮𝗰𝗵, ensuring student safety and wellbeing at the center of learning.

Working closely with the school leadership, teachers, and students, this partnership focuses on:

🔶Strengthening safeguarding and child protection systems within the school
🔶Establishing clear reporting protocols and referral mechanisms
🔶Building the capacity of teachers to act as first responders and safeguarding focal persons
🔶Supporting student-led clubs that promote dialogue, awareness and positive action

The AiD school clubs provide safe spaces where students learn to recognize, prevent and respond to gender-based violence, raise awareness, and contribute to a culture of respect and equality, both within their schools and the wider community.

Through engagements like this, we continue to strengthen school communities and move
closer to our shared goal of safety for women and girls.


WholeOfSchoolApproach CommunityAction

09/03/2026

📢📢𝗥𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀. 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲. 𝗔𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 - 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝘄𝗮𝗶𝘁 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲.

International Women’s Day is more than a celebration; it is a critical platform for change. As civil society and government actors in Sierra Leone commemorate progress, we must ask: Are we achieving impact, or are we simply following a routine?

Despite decades of advocacy, the statistics tell a sobering story:

▪️ 𝗔 𝗟𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗼𝗳 𝗡𝗲𝗴𝗹𝗲𝗰𝘁: 22 years after the 𝗧𝗿𝘂𝘁𝗵 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗹𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻 recommended social protection for survivors of civil war sexual violence, these needs remain unaddressed.

▪️ 𝗨𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: Government spending on social protection (excluding healthcare) sits at approximately 𝟬.𝟴% 𝗼𝗳 𝗚𝗗𝗣, well below the regional average.

▪️ 𝗔 𝗖𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗶𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆: Between 2022 and 2023, 𝟮𝟭,𝟲𝟳𝟵 𝗰𝗮𝘀𝗲𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 were reported, yet 𝗳𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗮𝗻 𝟴% reached prosecution.

Behind these numbers are real lives. At 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁, we are calling on leadership to move beyond rhetoric and prioritize:

1️⃣ 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲𝗱 𝗝𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗲: Rigorous prosecution for survivors.
2️⃣ 𝗘𝗺𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗰𝘆 𝗦𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗳𝗲𝗿𝘀: Immediate support for those at risk.
3️⃣ 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁: Economic pathways to help women exit abusive
environments.
4️⃣ 𝗗𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵𝗰𝗮𝗿𝗲: Comprehensive long-term physical and mental health support.
5️⃣ 𝗦𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗲-𝗥𝘂𝗻 𝗦𝗵𝗲𝗹𝘁𝗲𝗿𝘀: Safe, institutionalized protection programs. We thank activists and CSOs working tirelessly for gender equality and we urge the government to listen, invest, and act.

Join us. Engage with leaders. The message remains urgent: 𝗗𝗶𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗹𝗲 𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝗯𝗮𝗿𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗶𝘁𝘆.

03/03/2026

𝗖𝗲𝗹𝗲𝗯𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗭𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯’𝘀 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲 🎓✂️

Two years ago, 𝗭𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯 𝗧𝘂𝗿𝗮𝘆 made a courageous decision 𝘁𝗼 𝗶𝗻𝘃𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝗶𝗻 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱 𝗮 𝘀𝘂𝘀𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯𝗹𝗲 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗲𝗹𝗳 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗵𝗲𝗿 𝗳𝗮𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆. With a clear goal of becoming a self-employed tailor, she enrolled in professional training, with support from 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁 and today, we are proud to celebrate her achievement.
On Saturday, 21 February 2026, 𝗭𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗯 𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗶𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗱𝘂𝗮𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗳𝗿𝗼𝗺 𝗚𝗿𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗼𝗻 𝗩𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗻𝘀𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘂𝘁𝗲, 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗽𝗹𝗲𝘁𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿 𝘁𝘄𝗼 𝘆𝗲𝗮𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗲𝗰𝗵𝗻𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝘁𝗿𝗮𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗶𝗻 𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴. Her graduation marks not just the completion of a course, but the beginning of a new chapter of economic independence and professional growth.
Zainab participated in 𝗔𝗹𝗹𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗗𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗼𝗽𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁’𝘀 𝗟𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗦𝘂𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘁𝗶𝗺𝗮𝘁𝗲 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝗻𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. Through this intervention, she received a training scholarship, along with targeted financial and material support designed to remove barriers to learning and stability while she focused on developing her skills.
𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘃𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗹𝗹𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝗹𝗶𝗵𝗼𝗼𝗱 𝗼𝗽𝗽𝗼𝗿𝘁𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝘀 𝗰𝗿𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘄𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻 𝗿𝗲𝗯𝘂𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝗶𝗿 𝗹𝗶𝘃𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗳𝘁𝗲𝗿 𝘃𝗶𝗼𝗹𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲. By strengthening professional capacity and income-earning potential, women are better positioned to achieve long-term safety, and financial security for themselves and their families.
Zainab’s journey is a powerful reminder of why this work matters. We remain committed to supporting women and girls to build futures defined by choice, dignity, and opportunity.
Our 𝗣𝗿𝗼𝗴𝗿𝗮𝗺𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗗𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿, 𝗠𝗿𝘀. 𝗞𝗮𝗻𝘂, joined 𝗠𝗿𝘀. 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝗟𝗮𝘄𝘀𝗼𝗻, 𝗡𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗣𝗿𝗲𝘀𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗼𝗳 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗦𝗶𝗲𝗿𝗿𝗮 𝗟𝗲𝗼𝗻𝗲 𝗧𝗩𝗘𝗧 𝗔𝘀𝘀𝗼𝗰𝗶𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻, as a guest speaker at the graduation ceremony, celebrating years of partnership in advancing skills development for women in the Grafton community.

Congratulations, Zainab. We are proud of you.