By Audrey Raymonda John

The Executive Director of CoMNet-SL Theophilus Sahr Gbenda says they have launched a gender equality project on the wise use of land in Sierra Leone.

He gave insights to members of the fourth estate on a press statement issued on Wednesday 13th November 2024 at their head office.

He said as a registered NGO they would be having a lot of activities, adding they’ve a new project they’re implementing.

He is wanting a winning or success on its implementation.

He talked about the  project promotion on the rights role food by individuals Sierra Leoneans which, he said, was implemented successfully in December 2022.

The Project Manager Mr. Emmanuel Gbondo also gave an overview about the press statement.

He said the purpose of the project is to sensitize communities on the gender equality and Women’s Empowerment Act on their rights.

He said when they are empowered and stand for their rights against abuse it means success to them the women.

The Chairperson at CoMNet-SL Madam Aminata Finda Massaquoi, the National Secretariat of Community Media Network (CoMNet-SL), announced information for the benefit of the general public saying that the launching of a new project titled ‘Promotion of Gender Equality with special focus on Land Use’ is a welcoming one.

With funds from Bread for the World (BtW) in Germany, the project seeks to complement Government’s efforts in enhancing gender equality and promoting women’s rights in the country.

The strategic methodology of the project is to popularize the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment Act 2022, the Customary Land Rights Act 2022, the National Land Policy and other local and international instruments of best practices which are geared towards the promotion of gender equality and ensuring effective land governance.

The implementation of the project spans from June 2024 to November 2025 (18 months), with a moderate budget of 70,000 Euros.

CoMNet-SL says it is determined to ensure the successful implementation of the project as they believe it would serve as justification for the potential extension of the very project at hand.

“This is the very first time CoMNet-SL is receiving funds from Bread for the World, and is ( the organization) therefore proud of this significant milestone in our work.”

“We shall use our fullest media strength as one of the biggest media networks in the country to raise and promote public awareness on the contents of the legal instruments protecting the rights of citizens.”

This is so because it went on, we firmly believe that knowledge is power, and that people can only stand up for their rights when they are fully aware about those rights.

In view of this, we wish to extent our gratitude to Bread for the World for the funds provided, and to the Government of Sierra Leone for creating the legal framework for the enhancement of gender parity and the protection of citizens’ rights to own and use land for development and agricultural purposes, it added.

About CoMNet-SL

Community Media Network was established in November 2017 as a national network for the development of the Community Media Sector in Sierra Leone.

It is a Network of 50 Community Radio Stations spread across the length and breadth of the country with specialty in radio content production and in broadcasting, advocacy and awareness-raising, investigative journalism, human rights reporting, research, documentary and jingle(s)/radio soap opera production.

CoMet is a registered media advocacy and awareness-raising based Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO).

The main aim of the Network is using the media as an effective tool to raising awareness while championing advocacy on issues affecting the vast majority of the citizenry, according to the institution.

The community media network initiative is supported by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Our Vision, it said, is to be the most influential media with the aim of helping create a more democratic and peaceful society.

Our Mission, it says, is a Community Media Network, an independent media entity seeking to serve the Sierra Leonean community through an enlightening discourse. “We seek to encourage dialogue, to educate the public, to help in the decision making process, and to empower marginalized groups by giving them space to freely express their views on issues affecting them.”