As part of the 16 Days of activism against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV), a global campaign calling for the protection and empowerment of women and girls, the Youth Movement for Sustainable Development Sierra Leone (YoMSuD SL) on Saturday, 29th November 2025 supported 50 adolescent girls and survivors of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence with essential academic and learning materials in Bo.
Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) remains one of the most pressing challenges facing young people across Sierra Leone, especially in underserved communities where poverty, limited access to education, and weak reporting systems leave many survivors vulnerable. In response to the rising cases of abuse within five communities in the Kakua Chiefdom, Bo district, YoMSuD-SL launched the “Voices Against SGBV through Education and Community Advocacy Campaigns” initiative—an empowering and transformative project designed to give survivors a platform, strengthen protection systems, and shift harmful social norms.
As the Director of YoMSuD-SL and the Coordinator of the project, Mamoud Balla Kamara felt honoured to share the story of how young people—particularly girls, teen mothers, and boys—are gradually reclaiming their voices and leading positive change within their communities. “Our initiative is built on the belief that when empowered with knowledge, support, and leadership opportunities, young people can become powerful advocates for safety, equality, and justice, he asserted.
A central component of the project was the establishment of a dedicated safe space for 50 survivors of SGBV. More than just a physical location, this safe space has become a healing environment that nurtures psychosocial well-being, fosters peer support networks, and allows survivors to rebuild confidence and trust. Through group sessions and mentorship, many of these young survivors are learning to overcome trauma and regain a sense of belonging—one of the most important steps toward long-term recovery.
To strengthen community knowledge and prevention, Kamara mentioned that the Organization conducted five community-based awareness and sensitization campaigns across the targeted communities in Kakua Chiefdom. The campaigns, he stated, have engaged parents, youths, community elders, and religious leaders on the causes, consequences, and prevention of SGBV, noting that the activities emphasized the importance of early reporting, collective responsibility, and community-led protection mechanisms.
According to Kamara “Many residents expressed that this was the first time they had received such open and practical dialogue around gender-based violence, law enforcement processes, and survivors’ rights. Education is central to our mission. To prevent survivors from dropping out of school due to stigma, poverty, or trauma, the project provided school retention support and scholarships to 50 SGBV survivors. This assistance has not only restored hope but has positioned these young beneficiaries to pursue their dreams with dignity. Teachers and parents have also reported improved attendance, increased motivation, and stronger academic performance among these students—demonstrating the transformative power of keeping girls and teen mothers in school.”
One of the most impactful activities of the project was the one-day Legal Literacy Training workshop, which brought together all 50 survivors for a comprehensive learning session on simplified gender laws, girls’ leadership, advocacy strategies, SGBV prevention, and the use of anonymous reporting mechanisms. The highly anticipated training equipped participants with essential knowledge to understand their rights, challenge harmful practices, and advocate for safer communities. The survivors currently serve as ambassadors in their various schools and communities, actively raising awareness, reporting cases, and supporting their peers. Their newfound confidence and voice represent a major step toward building a generation of informed, courageous, and rights-conscious youth leaders.
Recognizing that the fight against SGBV requires the involvement of all genders, the project also actively engaged men, boys, traditional authorities, and community leaders as allies. Through dialogue sessions and interactive forums, “we encouraged them to take responsibility in protecting women and girls, challenging harmful norms, and promoting respectful relationships. This engagement has already contributed to a noticeable increase in accountability, reporting, and community-led interventions. The project’s impact is becoming increasingly visible. Survivors who once felt voiceless are now speaking out with courage. Communities that once normalized silence are now participating in prevention efforts. Schools are becoming safer, more inclusive spaces. The involvement of men and boys has reduced resistance and broadened the collective understanding that SGBV is not a women’s issue—it is a community issue that demands unity and commitment.
“Our expected results are already taking shape: enhanced psychosocial support for survivors, increased community awareness and prevention of SGBV, improved educational outcomes for the 50 beneficiaries, strengthened survivor leadership through legal literacy, and rising male engagement and accountability. These early achievements show that when communities are informed, empowered, and united, meaningful change becomes possible,” Mamoud Balla Kamara said.
Through the newly unveiled project, the voices of young people—once overshadowed by fear and stigma—are now rising with strength, resilience, and purpose. Together, “we are building a safer Sierra Leone where every girl, boy, and young woman can live free from violence and pursue their full potential,” he noted.