Rainbo Initiative is delivering a project to improve the Availability of Quality and Free Health Care service for Survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) in Sierra Leone.
The project is aimed at making sure that women and girls are aware of, have access to, and utilise, quality and comprehensive free multi-sectoral treatment to survivors of Sexual and gender-Based Violence in the districts of Freetown, Kenema, Kono, Makeni and Bo with the goal to prevent further harm from the effects of GBV. This project is being funded by Irish Aid through the Embassy of Ireland in Sierra Leone, from 1st October 2020 – 30th September 2021.
Gender-Based Violence is a serious sexual and reproductive health problem and has a profound short or long-term impact on physical and mental health on survivors, such as sexually transmitted infections (including HIV), and other chronic conditions; sexual dysfunction; unintended/unwanted pregnancies and unsafe abortion; risks to maternal and fetal health (especially in cases of abuse during pregnancy). This can translate into increase incidences of women’s morbidity and mortality.
Through our Rainbo Centres, we are providing free, quality, age-appropriate response services to survivors of physical and sexual assault cases to deal with the health, psychosocial and economic consequences of sexual violence experienced and the continued discrimination they face in their communities.
We exist to put a smile on the faces of the survivors we work with, and for. Photo by Bob Lamin/RI
This project will support survivors of SGBV with drugs and other supplies such as sanitary kits, food and transportation for the most vulnerable, counselling visits to track and monitor the wellbeing of survivors, and also gather additional information needed to present to the Medical Doctors for court appearances. Monitoring of court cases to track legal proceedings, highlight survivor challenges and record issues related to the evidence. This will facilitate engagement between doctors and lawyers where issues associated with evidence provided by doctors in court as well as interpretations of medical reports are discussed for better collaboration amongst service providers.
In addition to successful clinical responses, the devastating impact of sexual violence on survivors can be mitigated by efforts from para-professionals and community-based structures. This project will recruit, train and support Community Gender Focal Point volunteers who will be responsible for awareness-raising activities by strengthening community involvement in SGBV awareness – changing perceptions and attitudes towards survivor-support behaviours and the dissemination of key messages on Rainbo Centre services and referral pathways. The Focal Points will work with trained Project Interns to reach out to communities and link survivors to support services.
Outreach sensitisation at Tamba Cula Wharf in Freetown. Photo by Bob Lamin/RI
We will liaise with the Ministry of Gender and Children Affairs to adopt the already designed abridged versions of the Sexual Offenses Amendment Act of 2019. This act will be printed and distributed widely in the districts where the project is being implemented.
‘‘This project will support women and girls to regain their health, heal their trauma and reduce stress. Through the support, they can get free medical treatment and restore their dignity. This project is a sign of hope for our women and girls to seek justices”.
Rebecca, GBV Clinical Coordinator at Rainbo Initiative