By George M.O. Williams
The International Labour Organization (ILO) in collaboration with the Sierra Leone Employers Federation (SLEF) on Friday, November 10, 2023, engaged women of Mayinkineh Community on the Women for Water and Peace (W4WP) project.
The Project, which is funded by the United Nations Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund, commenced in January 2022 and is being implemented over 18 months in five (5) wards: Ward 401 – Mayinkineh, Ward 408 – Rokupa, Ward 435 – Dworzak, Ward 442 – Lumley and Ward 443 – Crab Town. It aims at overseeing the construction of 25 Water Kiosks.
The project seeks to empower young women from the communities to become agents of change through supporting the construction and management of twenty-five (25) water kiosks with solar-powered purification systems.
The water kiosks will provide accessible, clean water for the first time to many of Freetown’s most vulnerable communities in a conflict-sensitive manner. Young women will be empowered to operate the kiosks as businesses and become agents of change and peace.
The Executive Secretary of Sierra Leone Employers Federation (SLEF), Albert Ojo Collier, said that they are in partnership with ILO to ensure that they protected the interest of those that would be employed during the course of the project.
He added that they are focused on creating awareness and an environment for decent work; and on ensuring that the job created is sustainable; reduces poverty and engenders self-sufficiency and community development.
A representative of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Desrica Taylor, added that the Project will serve the community by providing safe drinking water and minimize Gender-Based Violence. She also said that it is expected that the Project will help communities develop, provide livelihood for their inhabitants and make women more responsible and respected.
The Councillor of Mayenkineh, Sheku Deen-Mansaray, said that the project is being implemented in the community as a result of the funders knowledge on the water constrains in the community.
He added that they are willing to work with the implementers of the Project and hoped that the intended objective of the Project is achieved at the end.