By George M.O. Williams
The International Labour Organization (ILO) in partnership with Sierra Leone Employers Federation (SLEF) has on Tuesday, November 14, 2023, engaged women and community stakeholders of the Rokupa Community on how they should maintain the Women for Water in Peace (W4WP) Project after its implementation.
The project which is financed by the United Nations Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund had commenced in January 2022, and will be implemented over 18 months in five (5) wards, which include Ward 401 – Mayinkineh, Ward 408 – Rokupa, Ward 435 – Dworzak, Ward 442 – Lumley, and Ward 443 – Crab Town that will see the construction of 25 Water Kiosk.
The project seeks to empower young women from the communities to become agents of change through supporting the construction and management of 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. 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 it is important for beneficiaries of the project to understand the benefits and challenges of the W4WP Project, and to know its essence in the protection of women from Sexual Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) during the cause of accessing water.
He added that as partners in the implementation of the project, they are focused on creating decent work for women and girls and ensures that the project is sustainable.
Representative of West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Fatmata Kamara, said that it is expected that the project will serve as a means of livelihood for women and provide funds to undertake community development project.
She added that the project will provide recreation plans for youths who are involved in taking harmful drugs in the community.
The Youth Leader of the Rokupa Community, Salifu Mansaray, mentioned that they are expecting the project to address water crisis in the community, adding that the success of project will only be achieved if they are united.
Speaking on Sexual Gender-Based Violence, Memish Doherty of SLEF, said that the water project will reduce SGBV cases, as it will make women be independent, easily access water and bringing women closer in decision making position in the community.