In commemoration of this year's International Women's Day, Action Aid International –Sierra Leone (AAI-SL) over the weekend concluded a one-day interactive seminar on access to justice for women. The workshop held at Action Aid's Head Office in Lumley, Freetown, attracted rural women from Bo, Bombali and Kono Districts.
Also present were local courts officers and representatives from the various police family support units in the provinces.
The ceremony was aimed at creating a platform for the participants to deliberate on issues affecting them and map out strategies to eradicate injustice against women.
Coordinator for Access to Justice for Women and Human Security –Action Aid, Zynab Binta Senessie pointed out that humanitarian organizations are intensifying proactive measures to discourage injustice against women.
According to her, Action Aid is very much committed to eradicate sexual and gender based violence against women.
She used the forum as an opportunity to call on the men belonging to both the formal and informal sector to support the cause to make a thing of the past the issues of violence and injustice against women.
Representing court officers at the workshop, Frederick M Drima, a local court clerk in Bo reiterated the fact that women are facing many challenges in accessing justice, while pointing out that there are now bye-laws in the Sowa Chiefdom in Bo against such occurrences.
He called on other chiefdoms to emulate that good example so that women in the country can be assured of security.
The participants deliberated on various issues and at the end of the day forwarded significant recommendations.
