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“Sexual harassment is a crime against humanity”

This was the slogan on the placard held by a young boy from Njala University Secondary School as he marched with about 100 of his fellow pupils, both girls and boys, on a rally for women to secure their rights.

Young people take action to end violence against women

The rally was taking place as part of a programme of events during the annual 16 Days of Activism  that started on 25 November, the International Day Against Violence Against Women.  At the end of the march the pupils proudly read out the slogans they had chosen to write on their placards.  Amongst my favourites were “Womens’ Rights are Human Rights” and ”Early marriage destroys the future of a girl child”.  The children‘s teacher explained that they were all members of a very popular after school club concerned with Sex and Gender Based Violence which meets fortnightly to explore issues through drama and other activities.

I met the children whilst visiting Graceland Counselling Services‘ project in Njala, Sierra Leone.  We were on a university campus which was abandoned during the war after several lecturers were shot by rebels, and is only just coming back into use after a period of exile in Freetown.  Graceland provides psycho sexual counselling, and holds community activities to raise awareness of gender based violence and encourage communities to see that it is unacceptable.

Building confidence and reducing domestic violence

I talked with three women, Sitta, Majeni and Hawa who have all benefited from seeing Muso, the Graceland Counsellor based in Njala, and were keen to tell me their stories.  All three are single mothers trying to provide for their children.  Sitta is a widow; Mayeni and Hawa have both left husbands who were neglecting them and their children.  All found that having someone to talk to had relieved their stress and built their confidence to cope with their situation. Muso had also spoken to Hawa’s husband, and he is now paying something towards the children’s keep.

The day ended with an impressive number of Graceland’s volunteers and partners gathering to say what positive changes in the community have been brought about by our partner’s work.  We heard from volunteers who speak out against domestic violence; youth Representatives who said that Graceland’s work meant that fewer cases were being referred to the police; and a local Chief who praised Graceland’s work persuading parents not to force their daughters into early marriage but send them to school instead.   Our partner was praised by all the community representatives who had given up their time to meet us, and all agreed that the incidence of domestic violence is decreasing.

As I left Njala I felt pleased that Womankind is supporting such positive work.  Seeing young boys actively working against sexual violence was surprising and uplifting.  As one of the volunteers put it “Hope keeps us going”.

Post by Chris Taylor, Vice Chair of Womankind, who was able to visit Sierra Leone thanks to a gift from a former trustee made to cover the cost of the Board seeing and increasing their understanding of the organisation’s work.