By: Abu H.Conteh
Twenty-five human rights defenders from various organizations in Bombali District have benefited from a one-day integrated step-down training aimed at strengthening their safety, security and capacity to protect human rights.
The training, organised by the Fifty-Fifty Group of Sierra Leone with support from the Kvinna till Kvinna Foundation in Liberia, was held on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, at the Sierra Leone Teachers Union (SLTU) Hall in Makeni.
The programme forms part of the ENSURE project, which seeks to enhance the promotion and protection of human rights while empowering rights holders to engage sustainably in human rights advocacy.
Lead Facilitator Emilia Kamara-Jengo said the training was designed to equip human rights defenders with the knowledge and skills to identify, assess and manage risks and threats associated with their work.
She said the initiative was informed by a study which found that many human rights defenders either underestimate the risks they face or lack the capacity to identify and manage personal and professional threats.
The training covered key areas including personal safety and security, digital security and cyber threats, evidence building, violence prevention, intersectionality, feminist action, leadership, research-to-practice, advocacy and stakeholder engagement strategies.
Kamara-Jengo stressed the importance of the training, noting that human rights defenders can face attacks because of their work, with such threats sometimes extending to their family members.
She said the training would help defenders better understand the risks associated with their work and take appropriate measures to protect themselves.
“Just as journalists should avoid becoming the news while reporting, human rights defenders must also be cautious not to become victims of human rights abuses,” she cautioned.
Kamara-Jengo also called for policies and legislation specifically aimed at protecting human rights defenders in Sierra Leone and other countries.
While acknowledging existing national laws and international treaties that provide protection for human rights, she stressed the need for a dedicated bill to guarantee the safety and security of human rights defenders.
She said the organization would soon engage human rights defenders to gather their views and demonstrate the need for stronger legal protection.
Adama B. Sesay, Vice Chairperson of the Bombali District Human Rights Committee, described the training as timely and impactful.
She said the programme had improved her understanding of digital literacy, personal safety and security, particularly regarding online threats.
Sesay also expressed concern about challenges surrounding online freedom of expression and emphasized the need for human rights defenders to exercise caution when operating in cyberspace.
The training is expected to strengthen the capacity of human rights defenders in Bombali to safely and effectively promote and protect human rights within their communities.