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The Agency for Integrated Development Sierra Leone (AID-SL), a national non-governmental organization operating in Southeastern Sierra Leone, marked International Women’s Day on March 8, 2025, by launching a financial support initiative for 10 women’s organizations in Kailahun District.
The initiative, valued at EUR 5,000, aims to enhance financial accessibility for rural communities and strengthen local support systems.
The intervention is part of a European Union co-funded project titled “Promoting Economic and Social Rights, and Empowering Women and Youths in the South and Eastern Regions of Sierra Leone.”
The project is being implemented in collaboration with the Kailahun District Council, the Movement Towards Peace and Development Agency Sierra Leone (MOPADA-SL), and Bonthe District authorities.
Speaking at the launch, Mr. Sheku Gbetuwa, AID-SL’s Business Development Compliance and Partnership Manager, emphasized that the initiative was designed to bring meaningful impact to women in AID-SL’s operational areas.
Each beneficiary Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) group will receive Le 10,000 along with essential resources such as a metal box with padlocks, a calculator, registration certificates, and a bowl for counting money. These items are expected to strengthen the financial management of the groups and promote economic resilience within rural communities.
Mr. Gbetuwa further clarified that the funds are strictly designated for VSLA-related activities and not for individual distribution. To ensure proper utilization, AID-SL, in partnership with the district council and community stakeholders, will monitor the initiative’s progress. He highlighted that beyond financial support, the initiative aims to promote love, peace, and sustainable development across chiefdoms in Kailahun District.
Expressing gratitude on behalf of the beneficiaries, Watta Jibilla of the Gboyama group in Njaluahun Chiefdom commended AID-SL and the European Union for their intervention. She assured that the funds would be used effectively to enhance their economic capacity. However, she also appealed for additional support, emphasizing that many vulnerable women and children in the district still require assistance.
The initiative reinforces AID-SL’s commitment to women’s empowerment and economic inclusion, particularly in rural communities, aligning with broader efforts to promote gender equality and sustainable development in Sierra Leone.
