Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) – East, Mr. Thomas Mustapha Lahai has recently met with representatives of three (3) women organizations, AdvocAid Sierra Leone ,Gbotima Development Association and 50-50 Group of the East at his Regional Command Office, Kenema Police Division.
The purpose of the meeting is to ensure peace in the Township of Kenema and its environs and promote fair and problem solving security measures in the East.
After the deliberations, AIG Lahai cautioned the women to be law abiding and to report any illegal activity to the police at all times. He said he believes in integration, and asked the groups to partner with the police. He said that with the partnership the police would achieve its main objective of ridding the society of crime.
He acknowledge the deep importance of women in building the nation and urged them to stand by the security forces in guaranteeing peace and stability in the eastern region.
AIG Lahai asserted that Sexual penetration cases are high in that part of the country, and furthered that the prevalence of such cases in communities makes it obvious for a corresponding increase in teenage pregnancies. He called for general collaboration to address the problem of sexual offences and encourage participants at the meeting to take on a proactive attitude to tackle the menace.
The AIG further maintained that partnering with women’s organizations has made policing easier because, constitute largest group in the population of the nation, and can influence the majority. He therefore encouraged them to use the opportunity not only to advocate for their colleagues, but also to extend sensitization and education on ways to reduce crime when reaching out to their colleagues with messages relating to both Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV) and COVID -19 pandemic.
The AIG reiterated that social distancing is key in the fight against the coronavirus pandemic, but it is difficult for people in market places to adhere to it. He made reference to a fish market in the township which he said had been constructed years ago and its size can no longer accommodate the traders and their customers without crowding, therefore preventing clustering is impossible. He furthered that regardless of that situation people should endeavor to distance themselves socially.
In her contributions Madam Fatmata Dassama (50-50 group), and Fatmata J. Mabel (Gbotima Development Association) promised to give their unflinching support and work with the AIG – East in promoting gender awareness, and conversely discouraged SGBV, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) and teenage pregnancy in the region.
By Mohamed Mansaray in Kenema
19/6/2020.ISSUE NO.:7849