HELP-SL launches advocacy campaign on teenage pregnancy and rape in bonthe district.

With Support from Cordaid and in Partnership with the Cordaid Partners Coalition on Violence in Sierra Leone and other District level stakeholders, HELP an indigenous Local Non Governmental organisation working to empower and advance the cause of women launched an advocacy campaign on teenage pregnancy and rape in the Imperri and Jong chiefdoms in the Bonthe Districts.

The programme started with a match pass with all the STAR circle women and school pupils from the UBC hospital to the court barray in Mattru Jong Bonthe district.

At the court barray the ceremony started with a Christian prayer by Pastor Ema Brima and Muslim prayer by Imam Jalloh. Rev Joseph Gbonda gave an overview of the programme and welcomed everybody at the barray. Francess Bakundu Cluster Development Officer HELP-SL introduced the chairperson of the launching ceremony.

The chairperson Md Janet Kona Momoh manager Women’s Empowerment and Advancement Programme HELP-SL in her opening statement pleaded with all parents especially the mothers to send their girl child to school.

Lot of dignitaries were present and they all gave meaningful contributions on the rights of women and teenage pregnancy. Amongst them was Mr. Marrah District Co-ordinator Office of National Security in his statement he talked about wife battering and teenage pregnancy has been on the increase in the District.

He also said that women EXPIRE if they do not take proper care of themselves when they are young. He pleaded with parents not to force their children into early marriage but to send them to school.

The National Commission for Social Action representative spoke about RAPE, he said rape of the girl child mostly starts in the homes by extended family members and these cases are not reported because they want to protect their family names.

Mr. Sundufui Gender Desk officer Bonthe district told the gathering that government has enacted new legislation to protect the right of women. He talked about responsibilities of both the parents and their children. He said it is the responsibility of parents to send their children to school and it’s the responsibility of the children to go to school and bring home good results.

Mrs Francess Moseray coordinator Women’s Empowerment Advancement Programme HELP-SL formally launched the programme and the Human Rights Commissioner southern province gave the key note address. In his address he talked about the basic human rights of everybody as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

The programme ended with a vote of thanks by a STAR circle Member from Moyawa Community.