June 25, 2021
By Audrey John
The Youth Empowerment and Development Association (YEDA) in partnership with the Network of Civil Society on Sexual and Reproductive Health Right (NCSSRHR), have engaged stakeholders in Kambia District on the dangers of Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV).
Declaring the ceremony open, the Executive Director of the Youth Empowerment and Development Association (YEDA), Mr. Mohamed Kamara encouraged stakeholders of both Keneday and Kambia Town Old Market to bring out the issues affecting them in their respective communities, in relation to Sexual and Gender Based Violence.
He went on to say that YEDA as a civil society organization is concerned about the manner in which young women and girls are suffering in the country as a result of sexual gender based violence. He added that the engagement is part of the contribution of YEDA to encourage parents, stakeholders, women and young people in general to take proactive step in putting an end to Sexual Gender Based Violence in their communities. Mr. Kamara further said that Sexual Gender Based Violence has wreaked serious havoc in communities and families. He urged stakeholders of the respective communities to take decisive actions to put an end to the menace of Sexual Gender Based Violence. Mr. Kamara disclosed that the engagement is part of their commitment in the 2020 national meritorious award to engage communities’ stakeholders to speak up against SGBV.
“We decided to come here to help you,” said Mr. Kamara, adding that, the Youth Empowerment and Development Association and the Network of Civil Society on Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights is passionate about helping communities to fight against Sexual Gender Based Violence (SGBV).
He added that the engagement is to trigger stakeholders in Kambia District to speak up about the dangers of Sexual Gender Based Violence and prosecute perpetrators.
Also, the Chairman of the Network of Civil Society on Sexual and Reproductive Health Right (NCSSRHR), Mr. Idrissa Fafol Kamara thanked the stakeholders for gracing the program, adding that this is a show of their commitment towards the fight against Sexual Gender Based Violence in their communities.
He said that the Network of Civil Society on Sexual and Reproductive Health Right is worried over the unreported cases of SGBV in the country.
He added by stating that perpetrators of SGBV are left to walk free whilst the victims are left to struggle for their precious lives. He added that these unreported cases have created serious mayhem to society. He said that the engagement is part of their actions to make stakeholders realize that they have crucial role to play by speaking up against SGBV and name and shame perpetrators.
“There should be no hiding place for perpetrators of SGBV in the country,” he said, adding by calling on stakeholders to report all cases of SGBV.
Stakeholders of both Keneday and Kamabia Town Old Market pledged their support towards the fight against SGBV and assured members of the Youth Empowerment and Development Association (YEDA) and the Network of Civil Society on Sexual and Reproductive Health Right (NCSSRHR) that they will continue to speak up against SGBV.