Rainbo Initiative is implementing a project to improve access to essential sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) support services in the northern districts of Bombali, Port Loko, and Kambia, Sierra Leone. This project is part of a larger 5-year Irish Civil Society Programme (ICSP) grant from Irish Aid to the international NGO Trócaire, which is sub-granting to Rainbo Initiative and other local organisations in Sierra Leone annually. The project began implementation in January 2023 and is now in its second year.
Sierra Leone continues to experience alarmingly high rates of SGBV, with an estimated 62% of women aged 15-49 reporting having experienced physical or sexual violence, according to the 2019 Sierra Leone Demographic and Health Survey. Survivors, predominantly women and girls, are facing immense stigma, societal pressures, and significant barriers to reporting incidents and accessing vital services.
Community town hall meeting, Bombali District
The ‘Enhance Knowledge and Access to GBV Services’ (EKAGS) project aims to reach an estimated 50,000 women and girls across the northern districts. A key focus is on improving knowledge and awareness of available SGBV support services, particularly among women and girls in remote and hard-to-reach communities.
“This project is a game-changer for us. For the first time, women in our community feel empowered to speak up and seek the support they need,” said Alpha Tarawalie, town chief of Yoni Community in Bombali District.
Through targeted outreach and community engagement activities, the project is equipping 30,000 community members (people supported) with critical information on their rights, the reporting process, and how to access essential medical, psychosocial, and legal services. This enhanced awareness is a vital first step in empowering survivors to come forward and seek the support they need.
“The holistic approach of this project is truly making a difference in the lives of the survivors we serve,” said Admire Conteh, Field Officer at Rainbo Initiative.
Comprehensive Capacity Building for Frontline Providers
Concurrently, the project is strengthening the skills and competencies of 500 frontline service providers, including police officers, healthcare workers, and social welfare personnel. These individuals play a crucial role in the SGBV response, yet often lack the specialized training to deliver age-appropriate, survivor-centred care.
Training of Service Providers on Inclusion and Survivor-Centred Approach in Port Loko
Through tailored capacity-building initiatives, the EKAGS project is equipping these frontline responders with the knowledge and tools to provide comprehensive, trauma-informed support.
“The specialized skills we are gaining through this project have equipped us to provide much more compassionate and effective support to SGBV survivors,” said Nancy Gbamboi, national coordinator of Each One Save One in Port Loko District.
Strengthening SGBV Reporting, Justice Access, and Survivor Wellbeing
By improving both survivor awareness and service provider capacity, the EKAGS project is aiming to drive a significant increase in the formal reporting of SGBV cases, targeting a 30% rise in reporting rates across the three districts. The project is also supporting survivors to access the free medical examinations and reports required to pursue formal justice processes, addressing a critical barrier many survivors currently face.
The EKAGS project is directly providing comprehensive support services to survivors, including immediate post-violence medical care for survivors and psychosocial support, such as counselling and mental health services, for over 1,500 women and girls.
A survivor is being attended to at our Makeni Rainbo Centre. Phone by Admire Conteh/RI
Advocating for Full Implementation of SGBV Laws
Alongside these direct service delivery efforts, the EKAGS project is engaging in targeted advocacy to ensure the full implementation of Sierra Leone’s Sexual Offences Act, including the provision of free medical treatment and reports for SGBV survivors.
Transforming the Landscape of Gender-Based Violence in Sierra Leone
The EKAGS project aims to significantly improve the safety, health, and psychosocial well-being of women and girls in the targeted districts, representing a critical stride towards a future where all people in Sierra Leone can live free from the fear and devastating impacts of gender-based violence.
Maurice from Trocaire with our team in Kambia after his Field monitoring visit
“This project represents a crucial investment in the safety, health, and empowerment of women and girls in Northern Sierra Leone. We are proud to work with Rainbo Initiative’s holistic approach to addressing gender-based violence,” said Maurice Pewa, GBV project lead at Trócaire.
Will there be any space for volunteers.