By: Mohamed M. Sesay
The United Nations International for Children Fund (UNICEF) has graciously donated two new Toyota Prado Vehicles to the New Inspector General of Police as part of mobility support to the Family Support Unit of the Sierra Leone Police.
In his handing over statement, the UNICEF Representative Dr. Suleiman Braimoh expressed that he felt very elated to hand over the consignment of two (2) new Toyota Prado Vehicles to the Family Support Unit (FSU) of the Sierra Leone Police.
He added that the vehicles which have been procured using UNICEF’s Regular Resources would contribute to the unwavering efforts of FSU to increase access to justice for all Sierra Leonean women and children in contact with the law to access justice at all levels of the country.
Dr. Braimoh acknowledged that the Family Support Unit continues to face numerous challenges including the inadequacy of mobility in the provision of their mandated services to the Sierra Leonean population and particularly to the children. Irrespective of these challenges, he said the FSU provided justice services for 2,314 children (1,792 female; 522 male). He added that Sexual and Gender-Based violence cases remained the most reported crimes against girls with 1,220 out of 2,314 cases of violence against children (VAC) between January to June 2022.
He expressed hope that the two new vehicles would now help increase access to justice in hard-to-reach communities and enhance geographic coverage in prevention and response to Violence Against Children (VAC) and Gender-Based Violence (GBV) across the country including through the six One-Stop Centers for GBV.
The UNICEF Country Representative also highlighted that between 2019 and 2022, UNICEF has provided both technical and institutional support to FSU through the Provision of seventeen (17) new Honda and Yamaha motorbikes and Mini-bus van Strengthening of FSU’s Crimes Information Management System Reviewed policies, standards, and procedures Capacity building training for their personnel Provision of supplies including desktop and laptop computers, tablets, printers, internet modems, stationery, and fuel.
“Distinguished guests, we would be doing a disservice to the current and future generation if we fail to protect them from all forms of violence and exploitation. UNICEF, therefore, stands ready to enhance FSU business processes to prevent and respond to Sexual and Gender Based Violence”, he assured.
In receipt of the donated vehicles, the Inspector General of Police Fayia Sellu expressed delight in the generous donation from UNICEF. He added that he was part of the delegation headed by the former Inspector General of Police when UNICEF also donated motorbikes to the Sierra Leone police. He reminded us that the issue of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence started happening after the rebel war. He also noted that the institutionalization of the Family Support Unit of the Sierra Leone Police has helped to mitigate occurrences of Sexual and Gender-Based Violence across the country.
As part of measures to eradicate Gender and Sexual Based Violence, IG Sellu furthered that the First Lady of the Republic of Sierra Leone Madam Fatima Bio has mounted a campaign dubbed “hands of our girls”. He added that such a campaign has heightened government response in terms of legislating tougher laws just to eradicate Sexual and Gender-Based Violence.
He also commended the staff at the Family Support Unit for their tremendous effort in the fight against Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. IG Sellu also expressed that UNICEF has been consistent in providing logistical support to the Sierra Leone Police. He, therefore, concluded by assuring the UNICEF Country Representative that the donated vehicles would be used for their intended purposes with regular maintenance.
