By Alfred Peter Conteh

Honourable Catherine Tarawally, Chairperson of the Committee on Gender and Children Affairs and Deputy Whip in Parliament representing the All People Congress (APC) from Bombali District, has expressed deep concern over the rising number of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) cases in Sierra Leone. In an interview at Parliament on Thursday, July 4, 2024, she highlighted the alarming increase in these incidents and criticized the authorities, particularly the Family Support Unit (FSU) of the Sierra Leone Police (SLP) and the judiciary, for their inadequate response in bringing perpetrators to justice.

From January 2024 to date, Freetown East alone has reported 372 SGBV cases, according to a Rainbow Center report. Disturbingly, 272 of these cases involve juveniles, something which has called for an urgency of action.

Hon. Tarawally stressed that despite the escalating number of SGBV cases, the FSU and other relevant authorities have not been effectively addressing the issue.

“The authorities responsible for addressing SGBV cases are not helping.” “We, as legislators, have enacted strong laws to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice, but it’s not making a difference if those tasked with enforcing these laws are not doing their jobs properly,” she lamented.

The Honourable emphasized the critical need for the police and judiciary to enhance their efforts in combating SGBV.

“If those responsible for enforcing the law are not doing their job properly, how will SGBV cases decrease?” she questioned, underscoring the necessity for a more proactive and diligent approach from these institutions.

Hon. Tarawally’s comments reflect a growing frustration with the current state of affairs, where despite legislative efforts to curb SGBV, the implementation and enforcement of these laws remain lacking.

She called for urgent action to protect the lives of women and children and to create a safer environment for all.

This appeal from Hon. Tarawally serves as a crucial reminder of the need for comprehensive and effective measures to tackle SGBV in Sierra Leone.

It highlights the importance of a coordinated response from law enforcement, the judiciary, and all stakeholders to ensure justice for victims and to prevent further incidents.

As the nation grapples with this pressing issue, it is imperative that concrete steps are taken to address the gaps in the system and to provide robust support for survivors of SGBV.