By: Fatmata Grace Okekearu
In a collaborative effort between Trust African in Partnership with SEND SL under the reclaim sustainability program funded by the Dutch ministry and the Sierra Leonean government, a day-long workshop was successfully concluded on November 25th, 2023, at Moloma Hall on Reservation Road in Kenema. The workshop focused on campaigning for fair representation in land governance, aiming to foster equitable participation, particularly for women, in decision-making processes regarding land.
According to Andrew Saffa, the Program Officer at SEND SL, the campaign falls under the Reclaim Sustainability Project, which aims to establish fair play for women’s empowerment in the realm of land governance. Saffa emphasized the importance of inclusivity by highlighting the need for a 30% fair representation of women in land governance committees.
The workshop brought together Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and traditional authorities, serving as a platform for discussion and training sessions. Participants were equipped with the necessary tools to disseminate information and advocate for women’s involvement in land governance within their respective communities.
Saffa stressed the significance of capacitating women and ensuring their active participation in decision-making processes regarding land. He urged CSOs and traditional authorities to champion this cause, spreading the message and fostering a more inclusive approach to land governance.
The event concluded with a commitment from the attendees to carry forward the campaign’s objectives, striving for increased women’s representation in land governance committees, thereby promoting a fair and inclusive system within Sierra Leonean communities