AYV News, July 11, 2023
The Women’s Forum Sierra Leone last week successfully organised an engagement with various Paramount Chiefs, Tribal Heads, Women Groups and Civil Society Organisations, wherein a peace pledge was signed as commitment to ensure that the whole electioneering process remains peaceful.
President of the Women’s Forum SL, Sally Adams said the aim of the engagement was to discuss ways that they can contribute to protecting their communities and at the same time maintain a peaceful country.
She noted that women are always at a disadvantage whenever a country is at war, which is why they as an organization are always advocating for women and children, and for peace to reign at all times.
She explained that Sierra Leone has been known for its safety and quietness in the world, it’s good education system, friendly people, natural landscape and peace and development.
She said SDG 16 calls for peaceful and inclusive society based on respect for human rights, protection of the most vulnerable, the rule of law and good governance at all levels.
“Therefore, the Woman of this country are calling on all to make that peace happens. We are calling on all of you to be fair and just and must condemn acts of violence regardless of who the perpetrators are, promote peaceful messages within the communities and support initiatives that will ensure social cohesion, promote safety of women and children”.
She also called on stakeholders to help consolidate the peace by making individual and collective efforts as the peace of the country is in their hands.
Mrs. Adams furthered that as a follow up to the signing of the peace clothe, with support from the United Nations Development Program through the Peace Building Fund Project, Communities were engaged on post elections peace Sensitization.
She said that Congo Market, Krootown Road, Eastern Police, Lumley Market, Up Gun, Western Urban and Rural have all benefited from peace messages. She noted that she’s very happy with the feedback from the people targeted so far and that she hopes for the better.
