By Aaron Parker
The Freetown City Council auditorium recently hosted a significant Town Hall Meeting which was aimed at addressing the root causes of Gender-Based Violence (GBV).
The event was a collaborative effort involving the Rainbow Initiative, the Carter Center, the Ministry of Information and Civic Education, international partners, and various key government officials.
The theme of the discussion was: “Fighting Sexual and Gender-Based Violence,” set the stage for in-depth discussions on social norms, the acceptability of violence, and strategies to combat these issues effectively.
Hon. Chernor Bah, the Minister of Information and Civic Education, delivered the opening statement. He expressed gratitude to the heads of Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDAs), the Sierra Leone Police, the Armed Forces, the Acting Chief Justice, the Mayor of the Freetown City Council, market women, police wives, students, and Civil Society groups for their participation. He emphasized the critical role of collective involvement in addressing GBV, highlighting the need for inclusive dialogue across all political affiliations.
Speakers at the panel discussion commended President Bio’s practical approach to addressing GBV issues and reaffirmed their MDAs’ steadfast commitment to combating Sexual and Gender-Based Violence in all its forms. The dialogue was interactive and informative, demonstrating the dedication of various stakeholders to ending GBV in the country.
This dialogue marks a significant step towards fostering a unified front against Gender-Based Violence, emphasizing the importance of community involvement and cross-sector collaboration in creating effective solutions.
