By: Abu H. Kargbo
Students from various departments at the University of Makeni (UniMak) have participated in an engaging awareness campaign on Sexual and Gender-Based Violence (SGBV) under the 2024–2028 BRAVE Project, implemented by SEND–Sierra Leone (SEND-SL).
The sensitization campaign was held on Thursday, January 22, 2026, during the lunch period at the Political Science and International Relations Garden on the Fatima Campus. The initiative aimed to educate students on the dangers of SGBV and promote reporting mechanisms within tertiary institutions.
Speaking at the event, Jestina Juana-Jalloh, Gender Officer of the BRAVE Project, described awareness-raising as a critical tool in combating all forms of sexual and gender-based violence at both local and national levels.
“Our target is to reduce SGBV prevalence from 39 percent to at least 10 percent,” she emphasized.
Jestina further explained that the BRAVE Project is being implemented across seven districts and ten tertiary institutions nationwide, in collaboration with various Ministries, Departments, and Agencies, as well as the Office of the First Lady of Sierra Leone.
“We are a united force with no room for compromise,” she added.
She also disclosed that an application has been developed and is ready for launch to enable confidential reporting of SGBV incidents by students and members of the public.
“All that is required is to support your report with evidence, without even disclosing your name,” she assured participants.
Mary Hawa Turay, Manager of the Gender and Career Counselling Resource Centre at the University of Makeni, commended SEND-SL for the impactful initiative and encouraged students to report all forms of abuse.
“It is only when you speak up that we can act,” she emphasized.
She further urged participants to serve as community and peer ambassadors in the fight against sexual and gender-based violence.
Similarly, Mark Morlai Kamara, the Outgoing Minister of Gender of the Students’ Representative Council (SRC), encouraged students to take advantage of peer reporting channels.
“Consider us your safe space if you find it difficult to reach lecturers, and your concerns will be addressed,” he stated.
Kamara noted that the BRAVE Project has trained peer educators across all three UniMak campuses, including the Sylvanus Koroma Campus in Yoni and the St. John Campus in Lunsar. He called on students to actively join the campaign to raise awareness and combat all forms of sexual and gender-based violence.
The BRAVE Project implemented by SEND–Sierra Leone is widely regarded as a timely intervention in addressing persistent SGBV challenges, which continue to cause long-term trauma, particularly among women and girls in Sierra Leone.