The European Union delegation in Sierra Leone decided to lend support to the United for Greater Governance and Participation programme, empowering rural communities to strengthen local governance and accountability processes.
On Tuesday 17 October 2017, at its Freetown office, Tengbeh Town, Project Officer, SFCG, Tsitsi Muvunzi explained the three objectives of the programme, which are to Increase understanding of and demand for greater accountability and participation in democratic governance in rural communities; Increase the capacity of key local stakeholders to voice citizens’ demand for participatory decision making and accountability processes; and enhance citizens’ joint participation in decision making and accountability processes around public service delivery, with a focus on the education sectors. She noted that six districts, Moyamba, Pujehun, Port Loko, Kambia, Koinadugu, and Kono were identified, which are believed to be violence prone districts, and some citizens in these districts have limited understanding in non-violent advocacy.
The peer-to-peer sensitization trainings were carried out jointly in all six districts by both implementing agencies. A total of 144 participants were drawn from 24 women and youth CSO’s were trained. The training covered topics such as identity, perceptions and perspectives, mobilization, advocacy, campaigning, peace building and the common ground approach.
As a follow-up to the trainings of the women and youth, civil society organizations support was provided for them to implement micro activities to ensure that they put into practice the skills acquired and promote participation of women and youth in socio-economic activities that increase their knowledge on civil rights and responsibilities relative to local governance.
Aminata Sowa is Chair of a women’s group in Pujehun. “I am grateful for this training and the opportunity given to me and my group members to participate in this peer to peer training. Despite not having any formal education; I now understand and can discuss with those who are educated”.
“CSOs in Kono clearly expressed their willingness to work together to ensure the fulfillment of the project’s objectives. What was remarkable was how they came together to do a play demonstrating how CSOs had collaborated to bring justice to the victims of large-scale land acquisition in Kono. In Port Loko the discussion of the differences between conflict and violence as most participants thought they were the same. After the debriefing questions, participants agreed that it is only when conflict is not managed constructively that violence occurs. They reached the understanding that conflict is inevitable, and knowledge is important to create change”.
During the trainings, CSO’s were taught on how to dialogue with political parties for the allocation of symbols to women and youth aspirants, community awareness raising on the involvement of young people in governance for transparency and accountability at community level, increase level of awareness on teenage pregnancy and early marriage through peer to peer school clubs, community outreach using drama groups as well as football campaign on non-violence in politics, including the involvement of women and young people in the elect oral process, for the upcoming general elections.
AC/26/10/17
By Ade Campbell
Tuesday October 31, 2017.
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