The Committee on Gender and Children’s Affairs in the Parliament of Sierra Leone chaired by Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawally, has on Monday, October 31, 2022 concluded an oversight inspection on the Rainbow Centres in Pujehun, Kenema and Kailahun Districts respectively. The One Stop and Rainbow Centres were established in some Government Hospitals across the country to facilitate free medical support to victims of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) across the Sierra Leone.
In her serial statements, the Chairperson of the Committee told the witnesses and stakeholders that, it was part of their mandate to oversee those who implement services for the state.
“We are here to monitor your activities,” she disclosed to service providers at the one-stop Centre in the Kailahun Government Hospital in a highly attended engagement. She made similar statement earlier in Pujehun and later in Kenema districts.
During the committee interaction with officials at the Pujehun Government one-stop Centre, it was revealed to the committee that, 244 cases of SGBV had been recorded since the start of 2022.
The Honourable Members of the Committee also observed that criminals involved in SGBV were hiding in riverine communities in that district. The witnesses also revealed that only one State Council is serving the entire southern region. He further mentioned staff constraints, delay in Justice, and subvention amongst other threats were part of the issues. Other Members of the Committee also made very meaningful contributions.
In Kailahun, it was observed that there were lots of compromises and interferences in SGBV matters and stakeholders made serious allegations against the justice system including the court and other authorities on the same. Also, it was observed that SGBV cases of minors were severe and alarming in that district. The witnesses also told the committee that the Family Support Unit (FSU) at the Daru Police Division was not cooperating. A total of 371 SGBV cases were reported in that district from January to date. The committee also observed that there was no rehabilitation centre or orphanage for victims. The hospital staff and stakeholders were in strong collaboration and synergy to fight the menace.
Kenema District recorded the highest cases of SGBV amounting to 412 recently, according to Rainbow Centre at the Government Hospital. It was observed that Kenema Rainbow Centre was not making proper follow up on SGBV cases in courts.
After observing, Committee Members unanimously agreed to write a report and submit it to the plenary session for consideration.
The oversight tour was jointly supported by Save the Children.
Source: Department of Parliamentary and Public Relations, Parliament of Sierra Leone