The Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs today convened its third coordination and planning meeting for the upcoming 16 Days of Activism against gender-based violence (GBV) and violence against children. The meeting, chaired by Director Marian Goodie Sowonie, focused on mobilizing resources and finalizing strategies for the campaign, which seeks to raise public awareness of GBV's impacts.
Director Goodie Sowonie, accompanied by Permanent Secretary Mrs. Aminata Sannoh, Assistant Director Bamie Sesay, and Deputy Chief Director Charles Vandy, expressed appreciation for the contributions of partner organizations and reiterated the ministry’s commitment to a comprehensive, community-focused approach. Sowonie outlined key action points from previous meetings, which included securing financial support, localizing the campaign theme for grassroots impact, and organizing specialized committees to manage various campaign activities.
Representatives from multiple organizations, including Amnesty International, UNICEF, Youth Association SL, and the Mano River Union (MRU), attended the meeting and pledged support. Amnesty International offered LE 5,000 for campaign preparations, while the IBTK Foundation committed $1,000 to assist with event logistics. The representatives commended the ministry's leadership in advancing public awareness of GBV and underscored the importance of a collective approach.
Deputy Chief Director Charles Vandy urged partners to maintain ongoing collaboration as the campaign draws closer. He emphasized the need for clear communication with local communities and encouraged the submission of concept notes and proposals to ensure alignment with the campaign’s goals. Vandy highlighted the ministry's progress on the Child Rights Act (CRA) Bill, currently in its committee stage in Parliament. He noted that if approved prior to the campaign, the bill would reinforce legal protections for children, enhancing the ministry’s outreach.
Assistant Director Bamie Sesay stressed the importance of following the detailed concept notes and matrices developed to guide the campaign’s activities. He also previewed an upcoming town hall meeting during the campaign, designed to foster dialogue with community leaders and stakeholders on sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
The ministry has organized three sub-committees to lead specific outreach efforts:
Outreach Committee: Responsible for educating vulnerable communities about GBV and SGBV prevention.
School and University Committee: Focused on increasing awareness in educational institutions.
Media Committee: Tasked with ensuring broad media coverage to amplify the campaign’s message.
The meeting concluded with a presentation on the “Real Man Campaign” by Mrs. Ella, which aims to involve men in promoting the safety and rights of women and children. Ella emphasized that the inclusion of men in campaign activities will help foster male allies in the fight against GBV.
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