On May 14, 2024, British High Commissioner to Sierra Leone Lisa Chesney visited Pujehun District to engage with local women’s rights organizations, including the Pujehun District Women’s Development and Advocacy Forum (PuDWAF) and Action for Community Task (ACT) Sierra Leone. Her visit aimed to understand their challenges and discuss the UK-funded MOVE grant, managed by Purposeful Sierra Leone.
High Commissioner Chesney received a warm welcome from Mary Rogers, CEO of PuDWAF. Founded in 2018, PuDWAF advocates for gender equality and community participation, focusing on women, children, youths, the elderly, and people with disabilities. Rogers highlighted initiatives like skills training, self-help agricultural projects, and mentoring to combat sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV).
From January to May 2024, over 400 SGBV cases were recorded in Pujehun District, emphasizing the critical need for PuDWAF’s work. Deputy CEO Letitia Kaiwoh Jah Mensurah stressed the importance of additional funding, while Purposeful Sierra Leone’s Kaata Minah underscored the MOVE grant’s role in strengthening PuDWAF’s capacity.
Chesney also visited ACT Sierra Leone, welcomed by Executive Director Sadiatu Kemokai Leigh. ACT Sierra Leone raises awareness about the harms of Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and SGBV through advocacy and community campaigns. Pupils in ACT’s school clubs shared how the organization’s efforts have empowered them to fight FGM and SGBV in their communities.
High Commissioner Chesney praised both organizations for their dedication and assured continued UK support. The visit concluded with a roundtable discussion, where insights and future aspirations were shared, reinforcing the importance of partnerships in tackling gender-based violence and socio-economic disparities.
PuDWAF and ACT Sierra Leone expressed gratitude for Chesney’s visit and the ongoing support from the UK government, highlighting their resilience and commitment to promoting sustainable development and combating SGBV and FGM.
