By Ragan M. Conteh

Girl Child Network-SL in collaboration with KDLK in partnership with RAEs and Amplify Change, have successfully implemented a comprehensive two-day CLV 0.2 meeting on 26th and 27th May 2025, with community stakeholders, Paramount Chiefs, government leaders among others to look at FGM and Sexual Reproductive Health rights as well as Gender Based Violence for them to sign for the elimination of FGM and to say no to gender based violence and improve Sexual and Reproductive Health right and menstrual hygiene.

The meeting drives grassroots action and policy engagement to advance women’s health and rights.

The initiative is aimed at strengthening efforts to eliminate female genital mutilation (FGM), reduce gender-based violence (GBV), promote sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), and enhance menstrual hygiene awareness and practices, particularly in underserved communities.

The programme commenced in Makeni on the first day with a high-level strategic meeting that brought together more than 50 participants, including professionals, traditional leaders, government representatives, and key stakeholders from various sectors. This gathering provided a dynamic space for dialogue and knowledge exchange between influential actors working to improve the wellbeing and rights of women and girls in Sierra Leone. Facilitated by Girl Child Network-SL and supported by partners such as KDLK, RISE, and Amplify Change, the sessions focused on the urgent need for coordinated community mobilization around critical issues such as ending FGM and GBV.

Discussions further highlighted the importance of integrating SRHR education and menstrual hygiene management into ongoing health and education programs.

The tone of the engagement was clear and determined—our rights as women and girls must be respected, protected, and fulfilled.

On the second day, the team shifted focus from institutional engagement to direct community-based outreach. This phase of the initiative was conducted in collaboration with Olam and was held in Bombali district, targeting 100 women and adolescent girls from local communities. The purpose of this outreach was to ensure that the messages and momentum generated in Makeni would be felt directly at the grassroots level, where the impacts of harmful practices and lack of access to health information are often most severe.

The day was marked by a powerful social mobilization event that empowered local women and girls to speak up, learn, and organize around the issues that matter most to them. Participants engaged in sessions that demystified menstruation, emphasized the dangers and illegality of FGM, and encouraged collective action against GBV. The conversations were honest and inspiring—many women voiced their commitment to ending silence and taking bold steps to protect the next generation. The initiative also helped participants understand their rights to health, education, and bodily autonomy.

The facilitators, drawing from their own community roots and professional training, ensured that every voice was heard and that cultural sensitivities were respected while promoting progressive, life-affirming messages. The social mobilization was not just a one-time activity but the beginning of a longer journey toward awareness, behavioral change, and sustained advocacy.

As the two-day CLV 0.2 programme concluded, it was clear that Girl Child Network-SL had once again sparked critical conversations and inspired action. The blend of policy-level engagement and grassroots mobilization demonstrated an inclusive and holistic approach to community development. It proved that when stakeholders—from chiefs to girls in remote districts—are included in the dialogue, change is not only possible, it becomes unstoppable.

This initiative added yet another milestone in Girl Child Network-SL’s tireless journey toward a just, safe, and equitable future for all women and girls in Sierra Leone. With continued support from development partners, including Irish Aid, and the unwavering commitment of community champions, the vision of a society free from violence, ignorance, and silence is steadily becoming a reality.