In a significant step towards combating gender-based violence, the Pujehun District Women Development Advocacy Forum (PuDWAF), a local non-governmental organization, has ended it community stakeholder’s engagement in Gallines, Kpaka and Kpanga Chiefdoms respectively.

The event, supported with funds from Purposeful through the British High Commission of Sierra Leone, aimed to raise awareness about laws safeguarding women and girls.

Addressing the gathering at the different native administrative court Barry’s Madam Mary Rogers, the Chief Executive Officer of PuDWAF, expressed gratitude to all who took time out of their busy schedules to attend the occasion. She highlighted that the project is focused on a primary emphasis on women’s empowerment and rights.

“Women and girls have suffered greatly at the hands of men, some receiving psychological harm from their husbands or relatives, which they use to abuse them negatively in communities,” Madam Rogers stated.

She vowed that PuDWAF will continue to wage war on sexual offenders and women abusers, warning them to desist from such actions or face the full force of the law.

During the town hall meeting, Madam Rogers urged all present to support the girl child positively and not negatively.

Chiefdom speaker of Kpaka Chiefdom chief Mohamed Sallu Rogers welcomed the visit, describing it as a “blessing in disguise.” he revealed that together with his sub-chiefs, they have imposes a heavy fine on any man who commits sexual penetration or any form of abuse against women and girls, engaging into child marriage. Stating that the law will take its course if anyone is caught.

The event also featured educational sessions led by Musa Momoh Gbah, the Officer in Charge of the Family Support Unit, and Samuel Titus Veiler, a Social Services Officer from the Ministry of Social Welfare. They provided participants with an in-depth understanding of the compendium of gender laws in Sierra Leone, including the Domestic Violence Act of 2007, the Child Rights Act of 2007, the Prohibition of Early Child Marriage Bill of 2024, and the Sexual Offences Act of 2019 as amended.