By Ilyasa Baa
In a collaborative effort between the Network Movement for Youths and Children’s Welfare (NMYCW) and the Western Rural District Council (WARDC), a pivotal initiative named the Climate Change, Wetland, and Women’s Rights Project has been unveiled. Funded by the Global Green Grant Fund, the project promises substantial benefits for numerous vegetable growers residing in Sierra Leone’s Western Rural District. The project’s inauguration, held at the WARDC Conference Hall, witnessed poignant testimonies, notably from vegetable planter Mammy Marie, whose account resonated profoundly with attendees.
Deputy Chairman Robert Brown, presiding over the launch event, emphasized the critical role of the project in supporting vulnerable communities, particularly elderly women reliant on vegetable cultivation for sustenance. Despite WARDC’s diligent efforts in wetland preservation, challenges persist, with occasional impediments from the Ministry of Lands, acknowledged Brown. Nevertheless, he expressed unwavering commitment to collaborating with NMYCW to ensure project realization and uplift the livelihoods of marginalized groups.
Hajie Bah, NMWG Coordinator, underscored the project’s overarching objective to supplement governmental initiatives, particularly in mitigating Sierra Leone’s increasingly fragile ecosystem. With erratic rainfall patterns, soaring temperatures, and ensuing environmental crises plaguing the region, the project aims to establish robust advocacy movements across targeted communities. Notable locales such as Ibu Town, Faya Mambo, Benguema, Kossoh Town, and Grafton are earmarked for intensive intervention, as outlined by Bah.
A pivotal component of the launch was the screening of a documentary elucidating the dire ramifications of climate change, imparting a sobering perspective on the urgency of collective action.
The collaborative endeavor between NMYCW and WARDC marks a significant stride in addressing the multifaceted challenges posed by climate change, wetland degradation, and women’s rights violations in Sierra Leone’s Western Rural District. With a concerted focus on advocacy, community engagement, and sustainable interventions, the project holds promise in fostering resilience amidst environmental adversity while empowering marginalized stakeholders.
