The launch event brought together government officials, development partners, justice sector actors, health professionals, community leaders, and members of the Survivor Solidarity Group (SSG). United by a shared purpose, participants reaffirmed their commitment to ending SGBV and strengthening survivor-centred response systems in Sierra Leone.

In his address, Head of Programmes Bob Lamin underscored the gravity of the crisis, noting that the vast majority of sexual violence cases occur within homes and communities where survivors know their perpetrators. Consequently, he warned that forcing survivors to remain in such environments often deepens trauma and delays recovery.

Meanwhile, Deputy Mayor of Kenema District, Rugiatu S. Koroma, expressed deep appreciation to Rainbo Initiative and its partners for responding to the needs of the region. She also commended the resilience and determination of the women who advocated for the office, emphasizing that poverty must never justify abuse or the neglect of women’s and girls’ rights.

The regional office, which includes a Safe Home in Kenema, represents a significant step forward in expanding access to protection, care, and justice for survivors of SGBV in the southeast. The Safe Home provides a structured environment for protection, dignity, and holistic recovery, reflecting a shared commitment to not only respond to violence but also to create supportive spaces where survivors can heal, rebuild, and reclaim their dignity.

Victor Marcathy of the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs highlighted the longstanding demand for such a facility in the Eastern Region, particularly in Kenema, Kono, and Kailahun. He noted that without Safe Homes, survivors are often placed in temporary or inadequate care arrangements.

In addition, traditional leaders voiced strong support for the initiative. Representing the Paramount Chief, Chief Abdulai observed that beyond immediate protection, the Safe Home plays a crucial role in restoring the pride and dignity of women and girls affected by stigma and social exclusion.

As Rainbo Initiative begins this new chapter in the Southeast, stakeholders remain optimistic that the regional office and Safe Home will serve as a model for survivor-centred care across the country. By combining protection, psychosocial support, and community engagement, the initiative aims to transform the response to SGBV, ensuring that survivors are not only safe but empowered to reclaim their lives with dignity and hope.

For us at Rainbo, this report is not simply a statistical publication. It reflects the lived realities of survivors who accessed services across our nine Rainbo Centres operating in seven districts. It provides an evidence base that informs our medical, psychosocial, legal, and referral interventions, while shaping broader advocacy and policy engagement across Sierra Leone.

In 2025, we documented 3,055 abuse cases,  a 10% increase from the 2,771 cases recorded in 2024, reinforcing the sustained and escalating demand for survivor-centered services. Of those served, 99% were female. Sexual assault accounted for 2,723 cases, while 330 involved physical assault, and two were classified as psychological abuse. Among the total cases, 514 resulted in pregnancies, and one case was HIV-related.

The depth of violence reflected in the data remains deeply concerning. Our youngest survivor was a six-month-old infant. Our oldest was a 58-year-old woman who was gang raped by five armed men during a 3:00 a.m. attack linked to a community dispute in which her home was set on fire. We also recorded the tragic death of a 14-year-old junior secondary school pupil who was sexually assaulted by a police officer. She was brought unconscious to our Freetown Centre and referred to a main hospital, where she later passed away. These cases underscore the severity, complexity, and urgency of our mandate.

Read the full report here: https://bit.ly/3OMbE3w

The launch, held in collaboration with The Carter Center, brought together representatives from government ministries, civil society organizations, development partners, and the media. The event marked a critical institutional shift toward a harmonized, digitalized data management system, strengthening accuracy, interoperability, and real-time reporting across service points.

Madam Isata Jabbie Kabba, Presidential Adviser on Gender, commended the Rainbo Initiative and its partners, noting that the administration is advancing beyond policy commitments toward “transformative justice” grounded in institutional accountability and systems reform.

In his keynote remarks, Charles Vandy, Chief Director at the Ministry of Gender and Children’s Affairs, emphasized that data must drive responsibility and reform, stating that every statistic represents a human life demanding justice.

Leanne Webster, Director of the Law Program at The Carter Center, reaffirmed the Center’s multi-year partnership with Rainbo. She highlighted joint efforts to harmonize SGBV data across Family Support Units in multiple districts, describing the collaboration as a model for strengthening coordinated, survivor-focused service delivery.

As an organization, we recognize that evidence is power. The 2025 SGBV Incident Data Report reinforces our conviction that prevention, protection, prosecution, and partnership must function within a unified and accountable ecosystem. The move toward a digitalized and harmonized data architecture is not merely an operational improvement; it is foundational to strengthening institutional response, influencing policy reform, and ensuring that survivors remain at the center of national action.

Going forward, Rainbo Initiative remains steadfast in its commitment to survivor dignity, justice, and access to comprehensive care. Behind every data point is a person whose rights must be upheld. Through sustained collaboration, evidence-driven advocacy, and strengthened safeguarding systems, we will continue to push for structural change that protects women, girls, and vulnerable communities across Sierra Leone.

On Saturday, December 6, 2025, Rainbo Initiative, a leading organisation in the fight against GBV in Sierra Leone, successfully held a nationwide Survivor Solidarity Sponsored Walk across all 16 districts in the country, as part of the global 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence, drawing thousands of participants, partners, community members, and young people in a unified call to end Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV). 

The day’s flagship event took place in Freetown, where participants marched from Jui to the Montana Car Park, Lumley Beach Road. The procession passed through major economic and residential areas, including Calaba Town, Wellington, Ferry Junction, Kissy Road, Cotton Tree, Siaka Steven Street, Congo Cross, Wilkinson Road, and Lumley Beach Road. 

Dr. Isata Mahoi, the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs marching together with Daniel Kettor, the Executive Director of Rainbo Initiative.

The walk was formally launched by the Minister of Gender and Children’s Affairs, Dr. Isata Mahoi, who stressed the importance of collective action and government protection for women and children.

“Ending SGBV requires strong community ownership and continuous public engagement. This walk is a bold reminder that prevention is everyone’s responsibility,” Dr. Mahoi declared, before releasing an orange balloon to mark the official start of the march.

At the gathering, representatives from partner organisations, donors, and community groups reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening protection mechanisms for survivors and supporting Rainbo Initiative’s essential services.

As the marchers gathered at Montana Car Park for the closing ceremony, the tone shifted from symbolic solidarity to policy advocacy. A major highlight was the presentation of a Position Paper by Kathie Kamara, Vice President of the Survivor Solidarity Group (SSG), to Minister Mahoi.

The paper demanded:

• Responsible reporting of SGBV cases.
• Enhanced survivor-centred services.
• Stronger accountability structures and policy enforcement across all mandated institutions.

Kathie Kamara, Vice President SSG, presenting the position paper to Dr. Mahoi.

The event showcased high-level support from the international community and local civil society. The Board Chair of Rainbo Initiative, Mrs. Margaret Bernard-Jones, joined representatives from the Irish Embassy (Irish Aid), Trócaire, UNFPA, UN Women, SEND Sierra Leone, and Concern for the Development of Disabled Women and Children in delivering messages of solidarity.

Representatives from Rainbo Initiative Federation chapters in Guinea and Liberia were also in attendance, pledging a sub-regional, multi-sectoral approach to ending violence against women and children. The consensus among speakers was clear: collaboration and community education are the only paths to sustainable change.

The Sponsored Walk remains one of Rainbo Initiative’s largest and most visible public engagements. By bridging the gap between survivors, policymakers, and the broader public, the organisation continues to reinforce its mission to provide essential services while advancing national efforts in preventing and advocating against SGBV.

Survivors Solidarity Group Training in Bo District.

On Tuesday, November 25, 2025,  Rainbo Initiative, a leading anti-Gender-Based Violence (GBV) organization in Sierra Leone, marked the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, a global moment of solidarity, reflection, and renewed commitment to ending all forms of gender and sexuality-based violence. This day marks the beginning of the annual 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence (November 25 – December 10), a global campaign that amplifies the voices of women and girls and advocates for their safety, dignity, and rights.

This year’s theme, “UNiTE to End Digital Violence Against All Women and Girls,” highlights a critical and growing reality: as digital spaces expand, so too does the threat of online abuse, harassment, exploitation, and violence targeting women and girls.

The Dual Threat: Offline Violence Meets Digital Abuse

Rainbo Initiative is using this pivotal moment to draw urgent attention of governments, our development partners,  technology companies, civil society groups, and communities to the rising incidents of digital violence, an often overlooked but deeply harmful form of abuse that affects survivors’ mental health, personal safety, and freedom of expression.

According to UN Women, one in every three women worldwide has experienced physical and/or sexual violence at least once in their lifetime, most often at the hands of a current or former intimate partner. In 2024 alone, Rainbo Initiative recorded more than 2,700 cases of GBV across Sierra Leone. These incidents range from sexual and physical assaults to psychological and digital abuse, all of which continue to endanger the lives and well-being of women and girls in our communities.

“At Rainbo, every form of violence, whether physical, sexual, psychological, or digital, is unacceptable. Our mandate is clear: the moment violence is perpetrated against an individual, a crime has been committed. That is why we have strengthened our safeguarding measures, expanded our 599 toll-free lines, and through the EU/UN Spotlight Initiative, we are launching the first mobile clinic ambulances to ensure survivors across Sierra Leone can receive counselling and support wherever they are,” said Daniel F.H. Kettor, Executive Director, Rainbo Initiative Sierra Leone.

A Proven Commitment to Survivors

Counselling session with one of our survivors.

Over the past five years, Rainbo Initiative has reached more than 500,000 individuals through awareness and prevention programs. Crucially, we have supported over 50,000 victims and survivors from vulnerable communities with essential economic and psychosocial services, restoring hope and strengthening their journeys of healing and resilience. This year, Rainbo Initiative is enhancing its support by launching a mobile clinic dedicated to survivors and introducing “Real Story, Silent Voice,” a new podcast series that provides a platform for survivors to share their experiences.

For survivors, digital platforms are often vital spaces for sharing their stories, accessing resources, and building supportive networks. However, for these platforms to truly serve as safe havens, the digital threat must be addressed.

“Social media spaces, don’t forget, we need to be mindful of the words and messages that we share on these platforms, so we don’t hurt others,” said Bilkish Kabia, Survivor Solidarity Group, Kambia.

Call for Collective Action and Accountability

The 2025 16 Days of Activism Launch in Freetown.

Achieving a truly GBV-free Sierra Leone requires stronger coordination and collaboration across all sectors. While the government’s enactment of laws, such as the Cyber Security and Crime Act of 2021, is significant, the scale of the challenge demands unity.

Rainbo Initiative joins global voices in calling for urgent action from:

• Government: To enforce existing laws and strengthen the justice system’s capacity to prosecute online and offline violence.
• Technology Companies: To make digital platforms safer, more accountable, and more inclusive.
• Communities: To challenge harmful norms and become active protectors against all forms of violence.

“Ending gender-based violence requires all of us. Rainbo works hand-in-hand with government institutions, justice systems, community leaders, and development partners because GBV cannot be addressed in isolation. By embracing locally driven solutions and challenging harmful norms, both online and offline, we can build a Sierra Leone where everyone is free from violence and protected with dignity,” Daniel F.H. Kettor, Executive Director, Rainbo Initiative Sierra Leone.

Join the National Movement: Sponsored Walk Against GBV

Participant of the 2024 sponsored walk against SGBV in Freetown.

As part of this year’s nationwide call to action, Rainbo Initiative invites all citizens, partners, activists, and survivors to join the Sponsored Walk Against GBV on December 6th. This walk symbolizes collective strength, shared responsibility, and a national resolve to end all forms of gender-based violence.

We call on every Sierra Leonean man, woman, young person, community leader, and institution to stand together and reject all forms of violence. Ending GBV is a national duty that requires unity, courage, and compassion. Together, online and offline, we must defend the dignity, rights, and dreams of women and girls everywhere.