By Janet Sam-Kobba
The Ministry of Social Welfare and other line ministries have launched and signed the revised National Referral Protocol (NPR) on Sexual and Gender Based Violence (SGBV).
The signing event which took place at State House in Freetown on Thursday 8th August, 2024, was attended by representatives of other government ministries, departments and agencies as well as national and international partner institutions in the country.
The NRP is basically a document that outlines the necessary services and responses for SGBV.
Minister of Social Welfare, Mrs Melrose Karminty said that there were persistent challenges that needed immediate attention with regards gender based violence despite the countless policies and legislations already in place to combat this issue. She noted that the creation of the National Referral Protocol serves as a significant milestone, as it provides a direct pathway for reporting and provision of services for victims.
According to the minister, this protocol aims at enhancing the method of pursuing help and justice for survivors of gender based violence and ensure a synchronized feedback for stakeholders.
“As a ministry, we will ensure that the National Referral Protocol will be disseminated to our women and girls with disabilities to enable them to report and access services,” she said.
Sexual and gender based violence remains an issue of great concern for Sierra Leone and many countries in the world. According to a 2019 World Bank data, Sierra Leone has the fourth highest rate of Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting (FGM/C) in sub-Saharan Africa (83 percent). Globally, Sierra Leone ranks 162nd out of 170 countries in the gender equality index.
According to the Sierra Leone Demographic Health Survey 2019, 60.7 percent of women and adolescent girls around the ages of 15-49 have experienced physical violence and 7.4 percent, sexual violence since aged 15.
Minister Karminty expressed concern about the rising number of sexual and gender based violence incidents, most especially in schools and in the communities which have greatly affected women and girls in the country. She committed her ministry to sensitizing and holding sessions geared towards directing them on the referral pathway.
According to Mrs. Karminty, the establishment of the referral system is a factor that will connect survivors with essential services needed like medical care, legal support, counselling and other forms of help. She further noted that it is the responsibility of her ministry to protect, empower and transform the lives of young girls, women, children, less privileged, elderly persons and persons with disability.
“My ministry will continue to carry out awareness campaigns and sensitization, radio discussions and focus group discussions in communities on the NRP,” she stated.
She revealed that the ministry is presently reviewing the Disability Act of 2011 which protects women and girls with disability and ensures that they are protected from violence and abuse of all kinds at all times. She also informed the gathering about the just launched National Action Plan Against Trafficking in Persons, which she said would focus mainly on women and children.
One of the key partner ministries in the fight against SGBV is the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs. The Minister responsible for that portfolio, Dr. Isata Mahoi, said at the event that it will play a critical role in guiding future related policies.
According to Mahoi, they are not only catering for victims and survivors of SGBV, they are also laying a ground work for a responsive and compassionate society.
“We are not only addressing the immediate needs of survivors but we are also laying a ground work for a more compassionate and responsive society,” she said.
Minister Mahoi spoke on the importance of acknowledging the gravity of the responsibility this generation bears to protect “our fellow Sierra Leoneans who are vulnerable,” urging every Sierra Leonean to work hands in glove to ensure success.
“As we embark on this journey towards a safer and more equitable future, let us acknowledge the gravity of the task at hand and responsibility we bear to protect our vulnerable compatriots in our communities is very essential,” she said.
Chief Minister, David Moinina Sengeh said that the government had stated its determination to continue to fight against SGBV in Sierra Leone, noting that this is reflected in the recent Town Hall meeting on the issue.
“As a government, we’ve demonstrated over and over again our firm resolve and determination to continue waging war in all forms of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in Sierra Leone,” he stressed.
Janet Sam-Kobba is an intern at ManoReporters and she is a final year student at the Mass Communication Department at Central University in Mile 91.
